Thailand and Viet Nam are asking government workers to work from home as the ongoing US–Israel war against Iran disrupts global oil supplies and pushes fuel prices higher across Southeast Asia. Officials say the energy shock is beginning to affect transportation, daily commuting, and economic stability in several countries across the region.
The Thai government led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed civil servants to shift to remote work whenever possible while introducing nationwide energy saving measures.
Authorities also ordered government offices to set air conditioners at 26 to 27°C, encouraged staff to use stairs instead of elevators, and temporarily suspended non essential overseas travel. Officials said the policy aims to ensure national resources are used carefully during the energy crisis.
In Viet Nam, authorities urged companies to allow employees to work from home whenever feasible and encouraged the public to rely more on public transportation, cycling, or carpooling. The government also removed import duties on petroleum products to help stabilize fuel supply.
Despite these measures, long lines formed at fuel stations across Hanoi, with one resident named Tuan telling AFP he waited nearly an hour just to refuel his motorbike.
Fuel prices have surged sharply in both countries. Data from Petrolimex shows Viet Nam’s unleaded gasoline has risen more than 20 percent since the conflict began, while diesel jumped 56 percent and kerosene increased 80 percent.
Thailand responded by capping diesel prices at below 30 baht per liter for 15 days and suspending energy exports to protect its roughly two month national oil reserve.
On March 11, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and its 32 member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Wood Mackenzie analyst Simon Flowers warned the disruption could escalate into an energy crisis that may surpass the global shock triggered by the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war.
