Authorities in Bangkok and Hanoi encouraged public employees to work from home and take up other energy-saving measures as the Middle East conflict disrupted oil supplies and sent fuel prices swinging.
Thai authorities said government workers should shift to remote work where possible and asked that government offices set their air conditioners to 26°C to conserve energy.
“The government wants all sectors to use resources wisely and effectively,” it said in a statement.
Thailand said last week it had secured two months’ worth of oil supplies but was suspending exports to conserve its holdings.
It also capped the price of diesel at just under 30 baht (RM3.70) per litre for a 15-day period.
In neighbouring Vietnam, the government scrapped duties on Monday on many imported petroleum products in an effort to prevent fuel shortages and stabilise the domestic market.
It also encouraged companies to allow employees to work from home “whenever feasible” to alleviate demand for fuel, the government said on its website.
Hanoi also recommended the public limit the use of personal vehicles, and instead opt for public transit, cycling or carpooling.
But thousands of motorbike riders queued for petrol yesterday at stations across the country, where prices for unleaded gasoline have surged more than 20% since the start of US-Israel attacks against Iran more than one week ago.
A 57-year-old who gave his name as Tuan at a Hanoi petrol station said that he was furious after waiting for almost an hour to gas up.
“I still have enough to run my motorbike today, but definitely I have to fill it tonight. Then I have to queue again tonight?” he said. — AFP
