March 10, 2026 | 08:05 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thailand and Vietnam on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, encouraged public and private employees to work from home (WFH). Both governments also took other energy-saving measures due to the disruption of oil supply in the Middle East, causing fuel prices to fluctuate.
As reported by The Manila Times, Thai authorities stated that government workers should shift to remote work if possible and required government offices to set their air conditioners to 26 degrees Celsius to save energy.
"The government wants all sectors to use resources wisely and effectively," it said, while urging officials to avoid traveling abroad.
Thailand announced last week that they had secured a two-month oil supply but suspended exports to conserve reserves.
The government also set a cap on the price of diesel below 30 baht per liter for a period of 15 days.
In neighboring Vietnam, the government waived import duties on Monday for many imported petroleum products in an effort to prevent fuel shortages and stabilize the domestic market. The removal of these import tariffs will be in effect until the end of April.
The Ministry of Trade of Vietnam urged local companies to encourage their employees to work from home as part of fuel-saving efforts amidst the supply disruptions and price spikes triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran.
Vietnam is among the most affected countries by fuel supply disruptions since the US-Israel war in Iran began, as it heavily depends on energy imports from the Middle East, the government stated on Tuesday as reported by NST, citing the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Hanoi also recommended the public limit the use of private vehicles and instead opt for public transportation, cycling, or ride-sharing.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Minh made phone calls on Monday to leaders of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to secure fuel and crude oil supplies.
However, fuel prices in the Southeast Asian country have risen by 32 percent, diesel by 56 percent, and kerosene by 80 percent since the end of last month, according to data from leading fuel trader, Petrolimex.
Long queues of cars and motorbikes were seen lining up at gas stations in the capital, Hanoi, on Tuesday.
A 57-year-old man named Tuan at a Hanoi gas station expressed his frustration after waiting for nearly an hour to refuel his car.
"I still have enough to run my motorbike today, but I definitely have to fill it tonight. Then I have to queue again tonight?" he said.
So far, Vietnam has managed to avoid mass shortages, but government media reported that dozens of small gas stations have temporarily closed or shortened their operating hours due to dwindling supplies.
Read: Thailand Expects 25% Hit on Tourism If Iran War Lasts Over 3 Months
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