Today, Bangkok joined in a climate strike that took place in over 1,600 cities around the world.

The movement started with 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who staged the first "Fridays For The Future" protest in August last year. Since then, she has inspired a worldwide movement that has recently gained her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Today's protests were scheduled to take place in more than 100 countries, according to an interview Thunberg gave to CBS news.

Leading Bangkok's involvement, student activist Nanticha Ocharoenchai started a Facebook event page to encourage Bangkokians to join her in protest on Friday, Mar 15. For those unable to miss work or exams, she has expanded it to include Saturday, Mar 16 also.

Today's turnout saw around 30 people, including members of Greenpeace Thailand, protest with billboards at MRT Sukhumvit from 11am. After an hour, protestors traveled via BTS to Phloen Chit, from where they marched to Siam, eliciting the attention of passersby and some ire from honking drivers as they obstructed the roads—classic Bangkok.

It can’t be denied that Thailand has done its fair share to harm the environment, the results of which already manifested in Bangkok's alarming PM 2.5 smog earlier this year. 

If you're feeling compelled to act, start making your signs tonight and join them for another march tomorrow (Saturday, Mar 16), which will again start at 11am from Dunkin' Donuts at MRT Sukhumvit. If you miss the start time, you can stay tuned on their Facebook event page for regular updates on their whereabouts.


Read also: Can Thailand ever turn the tide on single-use plastic waste?