Bangkok switches out lights in solidity with world

Bangkok turned off its lights for an hour yesterday in the global Earth Hour rally to raise awareness about energy-saving and to call for world leaders to act decisively on global warming and greenhouse-gas emissions.

Following the success of "60 Earth Hour 2008", the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Environment Department joined hands with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Thailand to launch "60 Earth Hour 2009", with the public switching off lights from 8pm to 9pm simultaneously with 2,848 cities in 84 countries.

The one-hour blackout was celebrated on major thoroughfares Silom, Ratchadapisek, Khao San, Yaowaraj and New Phetchburi roads.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, who presided over activities in the Khao San area, said the campaign aimed not only at saving energy but also at focusing on global warming, which was becoming a big problem for everyone in the world.

"I want all Thais to save energy to help our country and our world," he said.

As Thailand's landmarks for the campaign, the blackouts at the Royal Palace, the Temple of Dawn and Rama VIII Bridge were broadcast worldwide.

Towards the end of the event, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority announced its estimate that the blackout had saved 1,451 megawatts of electricity, reduced carbon emissions by 869 tonnes and saved Bt4.19 million.

Earth Hour has grown from a local event in Sydney in 2007 to a global phenomenon across six continents. Last year 23 cities took part, including Sydney, Manila, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago and Vancouver. This year, 2,848 cities in 84 countries turned off.