Bangkokians invited to join Earth Hour campaign on March 25

BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has urged people in the city to turn off the lights for one hour during 8:30pm-9:30pm on March 25 under the 60+Earth Hour 2017, targeted to cut electricity use in the capital alone by up to 2,000 megawatts. Bangkok Deputy Governor Jakkapan Pew-ngam told a press conference on March 16 that last year, the one-hour campaign helped cut power consumption in the capital by 2,020 megawatts, worth eight million baht, equivalent to a reduction of 1,057 tons of carbon dioxide. The deputy governor said since the annual campaign started in 2008, Bangkok has cut electricity use by 14,344 megawatts, worth 49 million baht, and 72,171 tons of carbon dioxide. This year, the deputy governor noted, BMA will also turn off non-essential lights at the Temple of the Dawn or Wat Arun, the Giant Swing and the Rama VIII Bridge as a symbol for Thailand’s commitment to join the international campaign to be simultaneously launched by 7,000 cities in 187 countries worldwide. According to the deputy governor, other landmarks in Bangkok that will join the campaign by turning off their lights include the Baiyok Tower, Asia Asiatique, a wellknown riverfront open-air shopping area in the city, and major roads, like Silom, Ratchadaphisek, Yaowarat and Khao San. The 60+Earth Hour 2017 campaign is also supported by the Foundation for Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (Thailand) and the World Wide Fund for Nature, as well as public and private agencies. (TNA)