Farmed Animal Compliance Thailand (FACT) volunteers, dressed in chicken masks, recently took to the streets across Chiang Mai to raise public awareness on Marriott International’s publicly stated commitment to source 100 percent cage-free eggs by 2025, highlighting that the target may not be met yet.
Locking hens in metal battery cages is a practice in conventional caged-egg production, preventing them from performing natural behaviors such as wing-flapping, perching, and dust-bathing. This stark reality was demonstrated by FACT volunteers on the streets of Chiang Mai
Street Awareness Campaign
The group assembled in front of a Marriott property at Changklan Road, calling on the company to meet its cage-free sourcing goal. Passers-by were initially taken aback, but later expressed enthusiasm and support for the cause.
- Tuk-tuk Campaigning: Donning their chicken headgear, the activists squeezed themselves into a tuk-tuk during the evening rush hour, representing the harsh and crowded conditions egg-laying hens face in a battery cage environment.
- Night Bazaar Walk-About: The group also went for a walkabout at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar located on Changklan Road, where one of them handed out multilingual leaflets to the crowd.
“The activity aims not only to raise public awareness on the conditions for farmed animals, but also on the role large corporations play in improving the welfare of these animals.” Supaporn Kidkla Director) from FACT said.
Implications & Impact: Regional Movement
The street actions in Chiang Mai are a part of regional efforts across Asia to promote transparency and public awareness regarding cage-free commitments by initiatives including Accountability Lens Asia, Bharat Initiative for Accountability, Indonesia Network for Compassionate Animal Farming, Malaysia Accountability Project, Malayang Manok PH, and Vietnam Animal Welfare Watch. Together, they are championing for a cage-free future across the region.
Members of the public can find out more and support the campaign by searching #HelpMarriottFindAsia on social media, or by visiting FACT’s website at facthailand.org
