The Thai Prime Minister's Office announced on 10/3 that civil servants are required to work from home. This is part of a broader government initiative encouraging staff to prioritize using stairs over elevators in daily activities and to postpone overseas travel.

To further conserve energy, government buildings will set air conditioning at 26-27 °C. Civil servants are permitted to wear short-sleeved shirts instead of formal suits. Employees are also instructed to turn off lights and electrical devices when not in use, limit photocopy machine usage, and increase online meetings.

An employee at a gas station in Nakhon Sawan province, north of Bangkok, on 10/3. *Photo: AFP*

These measures are part of Thailand's comprehensive energy and fuel saving policy. The government implemented them to ensure energy security amidst Middle East conflicts disrupting global oil and gas supplies. Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon stated that Thailand's energy reserves are sufficient for about 95 days.

The Thai government is actively seeking additional liquefied natural gas supplies from the US, Australia, and South Africa. A key policy priority is to reduce consumption demand, with the public sector leading the way. The government also calls on citizens to cooperate in saving energy, suggesting practices like carpooling to reduce fuel consumption.

Thailand heavily relies on natural gas, which accounts for nearly 68% of the economy's energy demand. More than half of its natural gas is extracted domestically in the Gulf of Thailand, while 35% is imported.

Thai officials wearing shirts to work in Bangkok on 10/3, instead of their usual suits. *Photo: Bangkok Post*

In march, Thailand suspended energy exports to other countries, except for Laos and Myanmar.

Thai officials warn that if Middle East tensions continue to escalate, the government may implement more drastic measures. These could include reducing the brightness of billboards at stores, cinemas, and businesses, and requiring gas stations to close from 10 p.m., except for those on main routes. Additionally, the Thai government plans to restrict the consumption of gasoline-derived fuels by switching from B5 diesel to B7, aiming to reduce pure diesel content and increase the use of palm oil-blended fuel.