Bangkok: Earth Hour 2025 activities in Bangkok have successfully reduced electricity usage by 134 megawatts.
According to Thai News Agency, the event, titled "Turn off the lights for 1 hour to reduce global warming in 2025 (60+ Earth Hour 2025)," was organized by the Environment Department, the Office of the District, and a network of government and private sectors, along with media partners. The initiative encouraged business operators, shops, and the public to minimize energy consumption by turning off non-essential lights and unplugging unused electrical appliances. The event took place on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with participation from over 7,000 cities in 190 countries worldwide.
This year, five iconic landmarks in Bangkok, including Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew), the Grand Palace, Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan, the Giant Swing, Rama VIII Bridge, and Phu Khao Thong (Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan), symbolically turned off their lights. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority's calculations revealed that electricity usage in Bangkok decreased by 134 megawatts compared to the previous Saturday, March 15, 2025. The reduction resulted in electricity bill savings of 621,746 baht and a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions by 58.6 tons, equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorption of 5,860 trees in one year.
Bangkok emphasizes the importance of addressing global warming and continuously campaigns to raise public awareness and encourage participation in solving this issue. The city's "Turn off the lights for 1 hour" activity has been ongoing since 2008, in collaboration with both government and private sectors. Over the past three years, this initiative has cumulatively reduced electricity usage by 138.65 megawatts and carbon dioxide emissions by 36.2 tons.
In 2024, the campaign achieved a reduction of 24.65 megawatts in electricity consumption and 11 tons in carbon dioxide emissions. In 2023, the figures were 36 megawatts and 5.2 tons, respectively, while in 2022, the reductions were 78 megawatts and 20 tons.
Bangkok extends gratitude to all sectors for their cooperation. The lights-off event serves as a symbol of collective effort, emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency in daily life. Simple actions like unplugging power outlets when not in use, using electrical appliances only when necessary, and utilizing bicycles and public transportation can contribute significantly to combating global warming. The combined impact of these individual efforts can lead to substantial positive change for the environment.