Thailand Fans Urged To Enjoy World Cup Tv--with Energy-saving Tips

[george]

Fans urged to enjoy World Cup TV--with energy-saving tips

BANGKOK: -- Energy-saving tips, recommended to Thailand's football fan public so that they can enjoy the current World Cup matches on television and cut their electricity bills at the same time, are getting special attention in the energy cost-conscious world.

Even modest movements to save energy can eventually make a bid impact in saving energy for the whole nation, according to Director General Metta Banturngsuk of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO).

Mr. Metta said that during the World Cup tournament, Thailand's energy demand for electricity would rise substantially as football fans are 'glued to their television screens' to cheer their favourite teams.

During the World Cup 2002 event, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, Thailand's electricity consumption during June increased more than 200-400 megawatts, he said.

He attributed the rise in consumption of electricity to longer hours of television watching and the extended hours of air-conditioning use during the tournament.

The EPPO has recommended easy tips for the football fans to enjoy the games and save energy at the same time during the period that the World Cup fever is gripping the nation.

He said that football fans should not leave televisions turned on if they are not watching them during the matches, as unattended sets are wasting energy. He advised using automatic turn on and off devices if they are available.

Also, he advised, "Do not use only remote control to turn off the television set as the electricity is still running."

Mr. Metta also recommended the football fans in the same house to share TV sets as it would be more fun and save electricity at the same time.

The EPPO will distribute a leaflet with tips for saving electricity--as well as the World Cup tournament schedule--to encourage the public to join saving measures.

The current World Cup tournament kicked off on Friday in Germany and will end on July 9.

--TNA 2006-06-11