THAILAND ORDERS WFH FOR GOV'T AGENCIES TO CUT ENERGY USE AMID WEST ASIA TENSIONS

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, March 10 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed government agencies and state enterprises to immediately implement work-from-home (WFH) arrangements to reduce energy consumption amid prolonged geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Deputy Thai Government Spokesperson Lalida Prertwiwatthana said the directive applies to departments where WFH would not affect public services, as part of broader measures to improve the efficiency of public sector resource management.

She said the prime minister has also ordered agencies to suspend overseas study visits and training programmes, and conduct such activities domestically instead.

“All agencies have been instructed to implement these measures while ensuring that public services remain unaffected,” Lalida said in a statement following the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

She added that authorities would closely monitor developments in the global economic and energy situation to ensure that policies can be adjusted appropriately and in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, another Deputy Government Spokesperson Airin Phanpharit revealed that Thailand’s average daily demand for refined oil products stands at about 124 million litres.

She said as of March 5, the country’s total oil reserves amounted to 8.055 billion litres, while average consumption of refined oil products is about 3.13 million barrels per day.

However, Airin said Thailand continues to rely heavily on crude oil imports, particularly from West Asia.

She added that Thailand currently holds around 8.054 billion litres of oil reserves, including both statutory and commercial reserves, which can meet the country’s energy needs to a certain extent.

“Nevertheless, the Ministry of Energy has proposed additional energy-saving measures for government agencies to promote efficient energy use and set an example for other sectors of society,” she said.

-- BERNAMA