UNICEF Thailand has announced the upcoming Blue Star Gala 2026, a high-profile fundraising event bringing together four influential women leaders and Michelin-starred chefs from Thailand and abroad to address child malnutrition and promote healthy eating. Scheduled for 6 March 2026 at The Athenee Hotel Bangkok, the Gala forms part of UNICEF Thailand’s KinRaiDee #HungryForHope campaign, a nationwide initiative designed to raise nutritional awareness and ensure every child has access to the right food.
The Gala will be co-chaired by Nualphan Lamsam, Busadee Chearavanont, Marisa Chearavanont, and Thapanee Techajareonvikul, all of whom are committed to advocating for children’s rights and improving nutrition. They are mobilizing leaders from business, philanthropy, and the culinary world to support this collective effort.
A major highlight of the event will be the collaboration of eight acclaimed chefs holding a total of 12 Michelin stars. Leading Thai chefs such as Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam, Chumpol Jangprai, Napol Jantraget, Saki Hoshino, Prin Polsuk, and Sachin Poojary will craft an exclusive multi-course menu that combines culinary excellence with nutritional value. International chefs Namae Shinobu from Japan and Cho Hee Sook from South Korea will also participate, demonstrating solidarity and shared commitment to ensuring every child receives a healthy start in life.
UNICEF Thailand Representative Ken Legins emphasized that child malnutrition remains a significant concern, with too many children missing out on healthy diets and facing both undernutrition and obesity. The Blue Star Gala aims not only to raise funds but also to promote accountability, highlighting the societal responsibility to ensure children have access to nutritious food.
Malnutrition can have lasting impacts on children’s development, health, and well-being. In Thailand, 13 per cent of children under five are stunted, while rates of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents have doubled over the past 25 years. The World Obesity Federation projects that by 2035, 60 per cent of Thai children aged 5–19 could be overweight or obese if no intervention occurs.
Through the Gala, Nualphan Lamsam hopes to inspire society to take action on children’s nutrition, noting that insufficient nutrition affects not only health and growth but also learning, confidence, and future opportunities. She encourages broad participation in supporting UNICEF’s work to ensure every child receives proper nutrition.
The KinRaiDee #HungryForHope campaign promotes healthier food choices for children, parents, and caregivers, while advocating for stronger policies against unhealthy food marketing. Funds raised at the Gala will support UNICEF’s ongoing nutrition programs in Thailand and in countries affected by crises, working towards a future where all children can grow up healthy, strong, and ready to thrive.
