BANGKOK—Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International) applauds Phyathai 1 Hospital for adopting a policy to serve 100% cage-free eggs by 2026. The premier medical facility serves over 40,000 patients monthly and is recognized for advanced treatments such as minimally invasive neurosurgery, laser spinal surgery and cancer treatments. Now, it is extending its commitment to health and ethics beyond patient care and into its food source.
Conventional cage systems confine hens to spaces no larger than an A4-sized sheet of paper to live their lives and severely restrict animals’ movement and natural behaviors. In Thailand, most hens are still confined to battery cages, so small and crowded they are unable to even fully spread their wings. Cage-free systems, by contrast, typically provide higher levels of welfare, allowing hens to walk, run, perch and lay eggs in nesting areas— important indicators of higher animal welfare standards.
With this new policy, all eggs served to patients, staff members, and visitors will come from cage-free systems.
“Health is holistic. By choosing cage-free eggs, we are supporting a food system that’s kinder to animals. Our patients and staff deserve more responsibly sourced food,” said Apiwat Arayanimitsakul, operations and business administrative director, Phyathai 1 Hospital.
“Phyathai 1 Hospital is helping to set an example for Thailand’s hospital industry by committing to go cage-free. Healthcare institutions have a unique opportunity to care for patients and promote compassion through their supply chain. We commend the management team to address this issue and extend their duty of care to animals as well as their patients.”, said Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand program manager for farm animal welfare at Humane World for Animals.
The hospital’s leadership also plans to raise awareness about cage-free eggs through patient education, cafeteria signage, elevator posters, media channels, and community outreach programs. By integrating this initiative into its daily operations, both Humane World for Animals and Phyathai 1 Hospital hope to inspire other healthcare providers, corporations and communities to make more conscious choices to improve animal welfare.
Humane World for Animals is a science-based and collaborative organization working to improve farm animal welfare across Asia and beyond. Humane World for Animals partners with corporations, farmers, processors, scientists and certification bodies to support cage-free transitions through farm visits, technical guidance, workshops and consumer education that strengthen sustainable supply chains.
