Four Thai celebs named Friends of UNICEF

BANGKOK, May 25 (TNA) – UNICEF Thailand announced the appointment of four Thai celebrities as “Friends of UNICEF” and launch a campaign to promote equal opportunities among children in the Thai society. The new four “Friends of UNICEF” for Thailand are Vanesssa “Noo Dee” Race, a well-known expert in child and brain development; Kiatisak “Zico” Senamuang, a former head coach of the Thai national football team; Patchara “Peach” Chirathivat, a teenage actor; and Davika “Mai” Hoorne, a famous actress. Anand Panyarachun, the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Thailand, said the four people have a unique characteristic which could effectively help promote rights of children among different groups of audiences in the society. In other words, they would be able to change and after all improve the lives of children in the country. Nonetheless, Mr Anand continued that social disparity and inequality remained causes for concern hindering the development of health, education and protection for children in Thailand. The data released by the Thailand Development Research Institute in 2014 showed that more than two million children in the country lived in poverty. Thomas Davin, UNICEP Representative for Thailand, said poverty and inequality led to malnutrition in children as well as the absence of health, education, and protection services. He believed the four Friends of UNICEP would create inspiration and bring changes to the Thai society. The four celebrities will join UNICEF in promoting equal opportunities for children through a three-minute short film. The film will help to raise awareness of social disparity in Thailand. (TNA)