PHUKET resorts are now switching on to Earth Hour, the international event on March 28 designed to alert the world to wasted energy.

So far, we have learned that Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa will be involved, along with the national capital, Bangkok.

And now Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket is joining in, with Starwood resorts worldwide. We also believe Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa is involved, too.

While 1000 big cities around the globe are where the most spectacular lights-out displays will take place, holiday destinations like Phuket one use up excessive amounts of precious energy, too.

An island that imports all its power and shows no real signs of looking at alternatives, beyond a solitary wind turbine at Rawai, really needs to be a part of the awareness process.

Villas that grow larger by the minute and are seldom occupied by more than a few people, or are left empty for most of the year, are an indication of wastefulness gone crazy.

The world does not need more megayachts and conspicuous consumption. It needs careful consideration of the harm now being done to the planet by thoughtless overindulgence.

Perhaps a new, workable system for international trade will emerge from the wreck of the old one, a system that perhaps moves away from the excesses of city living.

Like it or not, we are all heading back to the village. And why not? A village can be a very comfortable place with a real sense of community, something seldom found in cities.

Unlike Western nations, Thailand has preserved most of the good elements of traditional living. It will have fewer problems adapting than most other countries.

For its part, Phuketwan is fan cooled. We don't use air-conditioning, or for that matter a printing press, or paper.

Will Patong and Soi Bangla be shutting down for Earth Hour on March 28? That will be the real test of how far Phuket has come as an environmental tourist destination.

With the Jungceylon sale beginning that day, we somehow think it is unlikely that Patong will even blink. Awareness may come later for some than for others: that's the way it works, over time.

Is your resort participating? Please let us know.

Here's what the first people to notify us, Le Meridien Beach Resort, had to say about their involvement:

''Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, a recipient of the Asean Green Hotel Recognition Award 2007-2009 for its 'commitment to environmental protection and outstanding efforts in environmental conservation,' will be turning its lights off for one hour from 8.30pm on Saturday, March 28 in support of Earth Hour.

''The 470-room resort will shut down non-essential lighting in its buildings and unoccupied guest rooms while encouraging guests to switch off non-essential lights in their rooms.

''Guests dining at its restaurants on that evening will also be requested to enjoy their dinner by candlelight.

''The Earth Hour 2009 campaign aims to have more than one billion people in 1000 cities turn off lights for one hour in a graphic demonstration of support for determined international action on climate change.

''Initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the global initiative is expected to be the largest climate event in history.''

The commercial benefits in reducing consumption are obvious. Many resorts now tell guests they will change and launder the sheets every day, but only if that's what guests want.

More and more tourists come to the Andaman looking for resorts in natural settings that minimise environmental impact.

In many ways, Phuket is probably past its tipping point. It has become a hub for people looking for daytime adventure, plus nighttime fun.

Apart from the spectacular advantages of Thai hospitality and good beaches, there is little else these days to distinguish Phuket from many other tropical destinations.

Perhaps March 28 will be the beginning of a more measured and thoughtful approach to the future.

Earth Hour began as an awareness effort in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 when more than two million homes, businesses, and the city's largest landmarks shut off their lights for one hour.

Quickly evolving into a global phenomenon, Earth Hour drew an estimated 50 million people in 35 countries and 370 cities in 2008.

This year, one billion homes, businesses and countries are expected to take part. It's good to know that word has reached Phuket.




Phuket: Food Festival, March 19-28
Food Festival Phuket cuisine will be served to the masses in a 10-day festival that also features contests, stage shows, local product stands and a campaign to be gentle to the environment.
Phuket Food Festival, March 19-28