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Bangkok Post
20-07-2025
- General
- Bangkok Post
Children of the Mekong
As morning mist lifted over the Mekong River, a group of children, aged five to 17, gathered along its banks not just to admire its beauty but to tell its story. Over the course of three days, 40 children from Chiang Khan, a scenic town in the northeastern province of Loei, participated in a workshop to reconnect with their roots and raise their voice for the environment. The activity was designed to connect children with their communities and environment through storytelling. With support from Mahasarakham University, the Hug Mekong Association, Thai PBS, and Chiang Khan Children and Youth Council and local volunteers, the workshop, organised as part of Unicef's I AM UNICEF volunteer programme and #CountMeIn campaign, offered children tools to express the changes they see and feel in their rapidly transforming community. "Children know their communities better than anyone," said Channarong Wongla, president of the Hug Mekong Association. "If we create a space for them to explore, ask questions and tell stories, they thrive. Their insights can help preserve both the environment and the cultural identity of this place." Chiang Khan, nestled on the banks of the Mekong River, is renowned for its cultural heritage and riverside charm. But today, the town grapples with a sobering reality -- declining fish stock, vanishing traditions and a younger generation that's increasingly disconnected from a way of life once shaped by the river. To bridge this growing gap, the workshop began with immersive activities. Children learned Gyotaku, a traditional Japanese printmaking technique using real fish, to better understand Mekong fish species and biodiversity. The fish were later cooked and shared as meals. They also took boat rides along the river with local fishermen, witnessing firsthand the struggle to catch fish in a river that once teemed with life. "Some groups came back without any fish," said 11-year-old Praewa Ruenkam, her voice quiet but firm. "When I was younger, my grandparents and father used to catch lots of shrimp. Now, they can hardly find any." Praewa, who left school after Grade 4 to help her grandparents tap rubber trees for a daily wage, longs for the abundance her family once relied on. "We earned more from shrimp. I wish they would return. But I don't know how to make that happen," she said. After their river journey, the children got to work behind the camera. With guidance from 11 university students from Mahasarakham University and I AM UNICEF volunteers, they learned how to craft stories through video, how to frame a shot, ask questions and edit their footage. "Our role is to empower children," said Angkana Promruksa, assistant to the president for Student Affairs and Organizational Communication and a lecturer at the Faculty of Informatics, Mahasarakham University. "We want to help them see they are the important and that they have the capacity to protect the environment and community." Many of the volunteers come from northeastern Thailand themselves and relate deeply to the children's concerns. "These children have strong bonds with their community," said Rattanaporn Noiwong, one of the Mahasarakham University volunteers. "They live with nature and are a part of it. They may not understand climate change, but they know something is wrong and they know they must protect their home." One of the most moving examples came from 11-year-old Wutthipat Panpraw, whose group created a short film about Phasat Loy Khroa, an ancient local ritual meant to release misfortunes into the river. "I'm afraid this ritual will disappear," he said. "People these days don't care about it. And the changing environment makes it hard to find the materials we need, like banana stalks and bee nests." The workshop is part of Unicef's #CountMeIn campaign, which helps young people understand how climate change is transforming their communities, build skills to adapt and speak up about the environmental issues they care about -- making sure their voices help shape the solutions of tomorrow. This kind of engagement, says Nipattra Wikes, a communication officer at Unicef Thailand, is essential not only for protecting culture and biodiversity, but also for upholding children's right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. "Through this workshop, we are creating a platform for children to learn, express themselves and take part in shaping their future," said Wikes. "When children are heard, their communities grow stronger and so does our collective response to climate change." Thailand ranks 30th in the Global Climate Risk Index 2025. A 2023 Unicef report found that children in Thailand face a high risk from climate change and environmental degradation, with droughts, heatwaves and floods disproportionately affecting the poorest and the most vulnerable. This issue is especially urgent in places like Chiang Khan, where the impacts of environmental degradation are compounded by poverty and limited educational opportunities, said Piyarat Chuklinhom, a master's student in Contemporary Development and Development Practice at the Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies, Thammasat University who is researching child development in the area. "Many children do not wish to follow their families into traditional fishing or farming and without alternative learning opportunities, they risk being left behind and their way of life is at risk of disappearing." The workshop was made possible through collaboration between civil society, academic institutions, media, and Unicef. Thai PBS documented the children's journey, helping amplify their voices, while Mahasarakham University offered both technical support and mentorship grounded in local knowledge. The I AM UNICEF volunteer programme also played a key role, with university students serving as both instructors and role models showing children that growth and change are possible, even in rural areas. "This isn't just a media workshop," emphasised Angkana Promruksa. "It's a space for children to see the good in their communities and unlock the potential that's too often overlooked." What resonated most throughout the three days wasn't just the environmental insight or cultural knowledge shared but the quiet, unspoken love the children had for their community -- the kind of love that doesn't need explanation. "They may not say the word love," said Rattanaporn. "But it's in everything they do. It's in the way they ask questions, tell stories and look out over the river. They live with nature and they know instinctively that it must be protected." As the workshop came to a close, the children screened their videos to an audience of community members. Their stories were simple, yet profound -- a reflection of a world changing before their eyes and of their determination to hold on to what matters most. The videos were shown at Chiang Khan Walking Street last month, giving both tourists and locals the chance to witness their work. "I've lived in Chiang Khan all my life, but I never knew much about the different fish species, fishing tools or boats," said Rapatsorn Pichayametasit, 17, a member of the Chiang Khan Child and Youth Council. "Now I want to share what I've learned and encourage everyone to protect the Mekong River."
Scotsman
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
All Time Low Glasgow: From presales to prices, here's how to get tickets
Rian Dawson, Jack Barakat, Alex Gaskarth and Zack Merrick of All Time Low. | Getty Images All Time Low will be joined during their 2026 OVO Hydro gig by Mayday Parade, Four Year Strong and The Paradox. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... All Time Low have announced a huge show in Glasgow as part of their 2026 world tour. Set to follow the North American leg of the Everyone's Talking! Tour, the pop punk band will play the OVO Hydro on Tuesday, January 20 next year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Best known for songs such as Dear Maria, Count Me In and Weightless, All Time Low will release their tenth studio album in October. Here is what you need to know about All Time Low Glasgow tickets, from presales to prices. When will All Time Low perform in Glasgow? All 2026 UK tour dates All Time Low will kick off the UK leg of their upcoming world tour in Glasgow on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. One of only four shows in the country, they will also visit Cardiff, Manchester and London. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tuesday, January 20 2026 - Glasgow OVO Hydro Thursday, January 22 2026 - Cardiff Utilita Arena Friday, January 23 2026 - Manchester Co Op Live Saturday, January 24 2026 - London O2 Arena The OVO Hydro in Glasgow. | Rob - When do tickets go on sale? Tickets for All Time Low's Glasgow show will go on sale at 10am on Friday, July 18 via Ticketmaster. When purchasing tickets, fans are advised to make sure they have a stable internet connection and that they register for an account on the ticket site ahead of time. Only one browser tab should be open when attempting to purchase tickets. There is a limit of four tickets per person. All Time Low presale In addition to general sale, there are a number of presale options for All Time Low's UK tour - including, specifically, their Glasgow show. The first presale will open at 10am on Monday, July 14 for fans who pre-order the band's new album or use the 'no purchase necessary' link. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Then, Fan Club Presale will begin at 10am on Tuesday, July 15. There is then Artist presale, which will be available to fans who sign up for specific tour dates on the All Time Low website. Also available across all UK tour dates is Ticketmaster Presale and Spotify Presale. Fans who are eligible for Ticketmaster presale will receive an email from the ticket agent with more details, with the sale beginning at 10am on Wednesday, July 16. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As for Spotify presale, fans who listen to All Time Low on the streaming platform will receive an email with an exclusive access code for the sale which kicks off at 10am on Thursday, July 17. All Time Low performs. | Getty Images All Time Low Glasgow presale There are also three All Time Low presales exclusive to their Glasgow show. The first is open to OVO customers registered for the OVO Live rewards scheme. This All Time Low presale will begin at 10am on Wednesday, July 16. Then there is the Gigs in Scotland presale, which fans access by signing up for an account on the website. This Glasgow presale will also begin at 10am on Wednesday, July 16. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In addition, there is also Venue Presale - also from 10am on Wednesday, July 16 - which can be accessed by registering for the SEC Newsletter. All Time Low ticket prices Ticket prices for All Time Low's OVO Hydro show will range from £42.25 - £64.95. Prices will vary from venue to venue, based on a number of factors including fees and seating availability. All Time Low to be joined by Mayday Parade, Four Year Strong and The Paradox for UK tour Across all of their 2026 UK tour dates - including Glasgow - All Time Low will be joined by Mayday Parade, Four Year Strong and The Paradox. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Brooks Betts, Jake Bundrick, and Derek Sanders of Mayday Parade perform on stage | Getty Images for Audacy Having formed in 2005, American rock band Mayday Parade are best known for songs such as Jamie All Over and Miserable at Best. Meanwhile, Four Year Strong have been also been active since the early 2000s. The American pop-punk group are known for songs including We All Float Down Here and Wasting Time (Eternal Summer).
Glasgow Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Pop-punk band announce Glasgow gig on upcoming tour
The pop-punk band, formed in 2003, will play at the OVO Hydro on Tuesday, January 20 next year on their Everyone's Talking world tour. WE GOT THIS CONCERT WILL YOU COME WITH US? DEAR GLASGOW, COUNT ME IN! That's right - All Time Low are playing at the OVO Hydro on 20 Jan 2026!#OVOLive presale | 10am 16 July SEC Presale | 10am 16 July ➡️ On sale | 10am 18 July ➡️ — OVO Hydro (@OVOHydro) July 11, 2025 The group, best known for songs including Dear Maria, Count Me In and A Love Like War, have picked up multiple multi-platinum, platinum and gold certifications and Rolling Stone named So Wrong, It's Right among its 50 Greatest Pop Punk Albums. Tickets for their Hydro show will go on sale at 10am on Friday, July 18 with presale taking place at 10am on Wednesday, July 16.
