The widespread shimmer of Bangkok's lights will be turned off on the night of March 28th, as part of the Earth Hour campaign to raise the awareness of global warming and the need to save the planets resources.

Bangkok will join 680 other cites, more than twice the number that participated in 2008, in the worldwide effort to save energy.

The lights will be flicked off for the Earth Hour campaign from 8-9pm on the last Saturday (28th) of March.

Lights-out will begin on the cities famous backpacker road, Khao San Rd, and will then spread to other areas including the Grand Palace, Silom, Ratchadapisek, Yaowaraj and Petchburi.

Prakob Jirakiti, the deputy governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said that last year's campaign had reduced electricity consumption by 30 per cent - around 1,348 megawatts.

"We'll work closely with the police to ensure safety in the areas that are switched off," he added.

Prakob said that the campaign would be extended to the provinces next year, with Chiang Mai a possible target.