Applause for the youth champion pairs from the TO BE NUMBER ONE IDOL Season 16 grand final in 2026, who intensely pursued their dreams to find the ultimate exemplary skilled and virtuous youth role models. The grand final took place on the 6th floor of JJ HALL at JJ MALL shopping center.
The Department of Mental Health, as the secretary of the TO BE NUMBER ONE campaign to prevent and solve drug problems under Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Phannawadee, aims to encourage youths nationwide to "be number one without relying on drugs." The project seeks new role models to follow in the footsteps of predecessors, inspiring youths across the country to stay away from drugs.
As part of the project activities, 42 youths from across the country were selected to undergo training to develop various skills, including academics, singing, dancing, acting, and appropriate personality development. They competed in talent and progress contests on stage, performing four music genres (pop, luk thung, dance, and international) over four weeks. Kind-hearted headmistress Mom Luang Yupadee Siriwan supervised the program, supported by top experts recognized for their singing, dancing, and performance skills who closely coached and taught techniques to the participants. The selection process narrowed the group to 17 finalists who competed in the grand final. These 17 youths dedicated themselves to embodying exemplary skilled and virtuous role models, preparing to showcase their powerful singing, dancing, and expressive talents on stage in front of distinguished judges, including Top Daraneenuch Pasutanawin, Liu Manaswee Krittanukul, Shin Chinawut Intrakusin, Tum Warawut Pho-yim, and Dome Jaruwat Chiew-arom, who watched, judged, and encouraged the contestants.
In addition, Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Phannawadee, the project chairperson, attended to watch the performances of the exemplary skilled and virtuous youths in the grand final and joined the concert with the 17 finalists to boost their morale and encourage them to be number one without relying on drugs.
The results announced the winners of the TO BE NUMBER ONE IDOL Season 16 in 2026: the female champion was TI 26 Earn Warisara Kaewkong from Phatthalung, and the male champion was TI 39 Phu Patchara Sorthanyawong from Nakhon Pathom. These two youths impressed the judges with their talents, eliciting loud cheers from the audience. Both will serve as exemplary skilled and virtuous role models for youths nationwide moving forward.
