Every year, antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill over 38,400 people in Thailand. On the YouTube channel of World Animal Protection Thailand, an animation titled Getting To Know Superbugs takes viewers to a crowded factory farm where a pig named Molly lives. Molly explains that since pigs live in crowded places, they feel stressed, so they bite and fight. To solve this problem, their tails are cut off and their teeth clipped when they are young. Moreover, the farm puts antibiotics in their food and water to keep them from getting sick.
Sam, the germ in the animation, explains that when germs are exposed to antibiotics in low doses, they have a better chance of fighting the antibiotics and developing the ability to keep fighting. This is called antibiotic resistance and that is how Sam becomes a superbug. Superbugs leave farms by attaching themselves to the clothes and bodies of workers, as well as animals that are transported out of the farm. They are also found in manure which is eventually spread on soil for growing fruits, veggies and grain.
In order to raise public awareness of animal welfare which has affected people's health and the environment, World Animal Protection Thailand will hold the event "Happy Meat Happy Me" from today until Sunday at Samyan Mitrtown. Roatchana Sungthong, country director of World Animal Protection Thailand, said their mission is to create a better world for animals, even those raised for food.
"Our studies found that every day, millions of pigs and chickens are mistreated in cruel factory farms, and it severely damages the environment and our health. We want to make sure that their needs are well acknowledged. We want to ensure they are happy and have a good quality of life, as well as provide various safe and ethical food choices," said Roatchana.
At the four-day event there will be various activities. A digital interactive exhibition will help people learn about factory farms, the damaging effects of eating unsafe food and action they can take to improve the situation. Different topics such as "What's The Point? Why Pigs And Chickens Lives Matter" and "Factory Farming And The Silent Pandemic Of Antimicrobial Resistance" will be addressed in panel discussions. The first winner of Top Chef Thailand, Chudaree "Tam" Debhakam, will also present a cooking show.
One of the main highlights is to introduce World Animal Protection Thailand's ambassador Maria Poonlertlarp, Miss Universe Thailand 2017. Maria is notable as an environmentalist since she is a co-founder of SOS Earth, a platform that provides information and organises activities related to environmental issues. Life spoke to Maria about her ambassador role, animal welfare issues and "Happy Meat Happy Me".
How do you feel about being the ambassador of World Animal Protection Thailand?
I am super happy to find a group of people who are fighting for animal rights, especially in a country where animal rights and animal welfare are overlooked.
What are your main responsibilities as ambassador?
My responsibility is no different from those involved as volunteers. My main objective is to be a voice for animals who sadly don't have a voice in our society, as well as to spread awareness about animal welfare. Our organisation aims to help people understand more about their consumption habits and raise awareness of more transparency in all the processes that go on in food production.
What has been most challenging about this role so far?
The hardest part is making people understand what's really going on and how they can change the process. Changing people's habits is very hard, especially when it comes to food. If someone likes something, it's hard for them to stop liking it.
Are you a vegetarian?
I would consider myself a flexitarian. I am flexible, but mainly vegetarian, although I sometimes have fish.
After you became flexitarian, did you feel different?
Definitely. In the beginning, there was a lot of trial and error, but after six months, my body started feeling much better. The major effect was my mental health. I was doing things that I felt were in line with my values. I feel like I can truly fight for animal rights when I live that lifestyle.
How can you persuade Bangkokians to care about the welfare of farm animals?
It's hard to get people to understand what goes on behind the scene. People already have such stressful lives; they don't want to see things that stress them out even more, especially when they know that the end product is for their consumption. Organising events is one way for World Animal Protection to get people involved in a productive way. We are not forcing anyone to change, but we are providing people with information which they have the right to know about. The events will get people involved in the activities and get them more connected.
What was it like to visit a factory farm and a free-range farm?
Last year, I went to two chicken farms on the same day. At the high-welfare farms, I saw chickens roaming around freely with others. At the factory farm, the chickens looked unhealthy and overweight. Their feathers were not smooth. Some could not even walk or move as their legs were deformed. You can smell death there. That's how I felt. There is not a single good thing that I can say about factory farms.
How did you feel after seeing the chickens at the factory farm?
I was very sad and also angry at what I saw and also shocked that we have allowed this to happen. I think once we start treating animals as only commodities and not what they really are, we've come far off the path as humans.
What is the objective of 'Happy Meat Happy Me'?
It is an event for people to learn and understand what meat production involves, how meat is produced and what are the implications of that to human health, to the environment and to the animals, and to also give people options. If people still want to eat meat, how can they do this responsibly? There will be high-welfare farmers' booths displaying their products.
In addition to purchasing meats from higher welfare farms, what can consumers do to help farm animals?
We need to understand that our money is our voice and we have buying power. Once we shift our mindset, we can start demanding more transparent processes. Once consumers are demanding, companies will understand that if they don't give us the respect that we deserve as customers, we will not support their brand anymore.
What do you expect from the event?
I hope people come and see the reality. At Samyan Mitrtown, there will be many young students who are the future of our country. They are interested in the big picture of what is right and what is wrong. If they come to this event, they will get information that they might not have known of and they can make their own decisions from that. Also, they may even become a volunteer for World Animal Protection which will allow them to experience firsthand what the situation is like.
You once said young people are the most important social movement. Do you still believe that?
Definitely. I think they will be the ones who are left to look after the Earth. They are the ones who will have to clean up the mess we have made, but I would not say they are the most important factor. We are all important in this shift. The young generation is important because they will have the energy to fight. It is very important to focus on the young generation to support the environment, but they also play an important role in persuading the older generation who hold power in business and politics to understand what's going on.
