Get to know #2016challenge, the latest viral trend that has revived the buzz of "throwback" nostalgia. Take a look at Thai celebrities digging up old photos to compete for the most impressive throwback, and discover why 2016 has become popular again after 10 years.
At the start of 2026, the #2016challenge went viral, filling social media feeds on Facebook and Instagram with warmth and excitement. This hashtag invites everyone to post "old photos" from 10 years ago, sparking a major "throwback" phenomenon. Thairath Online explores the origins of this trend and why it has surged in popularity once again.
If you’re scrolling through your smartphone and see friends or celebrities posting throwback photos from 2016 with clever captions, don’t be surprised. This is the #2016challenge trend, based on the idea that "2026 is the new 2016."
The viral trend began with the 10-year anniversary of events and lifestyles from 2016, a year many consider the "colorful era of pop culture." Highlights include the golden age of Snapchat, the arrival of Pokémon GO, and Western-style fashion featuring perfect eyebrows and choker necklaces. People worldwide started posting old photos to compare their "past vs. present" transformations.
In Thailand, this trend took off quickly when entertainment icon "Mam Ploy" Ploy Chermarn began sharing legendary photos from 2016 one after another, prompting a flood of comments from industry friends and fans alike.
The highlight was when mother of three "Chompoo Araya" commented teasingly, "The past was wild," creating a cute moment that emphasized the trend's popularity. Top stars like Pope Thanawat, Paoy Panward, and Lydia Sarunrat also joined in, propelling the hashtag rapidly into trending status.
Besides celebrities, well-known influencers and beauty bloggers also helped boost the viral momentum of #2016challenge.
Social trend analysts say the comeback of #2016challenge in 2026 is no coincidence but stems from a feeling of nostalgia for a time when the internet seemed more fun and authentic than today.
If you’re joining the #2016challenge and wondering "What was popular that year?" here are five categories of memories that made 2016 a year many want to revisit the most.
