It’s a small act, but when millions join in, it speaks volumes. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is calling on city dwellers to take part in a global movement—60+ Earth Hour 2025. For just one hour, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM on Saturday, March 22, Bangkokians will switch off non-essential lights and unplug unused electrical devices, joining millions across 190 countries and 7,000 cities in a symbolic yet powerful gesture against climate change.

Since 2008, Bangkok has been a committed participant in the Earth Hour initiative, a collaboration with WWF Thailand and various environmental partners. Over the past 17 years, this simple act of flipping the switch collectively saved 22,537 megawatts of electricity and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 12,272 tons. Last year alone, Bangkok’s participation slashed energy consumption by 24.65 megawatts, equivalent to grounding 92 flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai or taking diesel cars off the road for 66,000 kilometers.

Once again, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is rallying businesses, government agencies, and households to dim the city’s glow by shutting down decorative lights, skyscraper signage, commercial billboards, and household illumination. Even the air conditioning gets a one-hour reprieve. Social media users are encouraged to amplify the movement with hashtags like #EarthHour2025, #BiggestHourForEarth, and #MyHourForEarth.

Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks will take center stage in this symbolic blackout. The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, the Giant Swing, Rama VIII Bridge, and the Golden Mount will all go dark, sending a stark but hopeful message about the power of collective action. Beyond these five sites, all 50 district offices and their respective local businesses have pledged to take part.

The call to action is clear: one hour, one city, one planet. It’s more than just cutting the electric bill—it’s about fostering a habit of energy conservation, proving that small individual efforts can lead to big environmental change. “This isn’t just about Bangkok,” Governor Chadchart emphasized. “This is about Thailand, about the world. Every light turned off is a step towards a sustainable future.”

And if one hour can do this much, imagine what we could accomplish if energy mindfulness became part of our daily routine.