No suits, more WFH - Thailand saves energy amid Mideast tensions

The Thai government has come up with a series of ideas to save energy while the US-led conflict with Iran continues and pushes up global oil prices. The measures will also help the country cope with the intense summer heat by letting civil servants work from home, stop wearing suits and suspend most overseas trips.

Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, said that the Cabinet endorsed urgent steps today, which are aimed at reducing energy consumption in response to unrest in the Middle East and managing the government workforce during the summer heat wave.

Under the measures, all government agencies have been instructed to implement a full work-from-home policy immediately and until the situation improves. Public-facing agencies must, however, continue operating normally to avoid disrupting services.

The government has also introduced energy-saving measures in state offices. Civil servants have been encouraged to remove jackets suits during meetings to reduce air-conditioning use, while office air-conditioning systems must be set to a minimum of 26oC.

Officials have also been ordered to postpone overseas study trips and training programmes for the time being. Only essential international meetings will be allowed, subject to careful consideration.

Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram said the Cabinet wanted to set an example for the public by reducing electricity consumption.

Sophon, who chaired the Cabinet meeting because Anutin Charnvirakul was ill, appeared without a jacket, saying Cabinet members will lead the energy conservation campaign by example.

“Ministers themselves reduced air-conditioning use and avoided wearing jackets during the meeting,” he said.

Culture Minister Sabida Thaiseth said the decision not to wear jackets is appropriate given Thailand’s hot climate and encourages the public to take part in energy-saving efforts. “This is another way to help the nation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, said the work-from-home policy is likely to have only limited impact on universities, as most are currently between terms. The situation will be reviewed again when classes resume.

The measures come as the government monitors escalating tensions in the Middle East, involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which officials warn could trigger an energy crisis and drive up oil prices, affecting the Thai economy.

Airin Phanrit, deputy spokesperson for the PM’s Office, said that the government wants its various units and state enterprises to be the first to implement energy conservation measures, as role models for the private sector and the wider Thai society.

Other energy-saving measures to be implemented by the state sector include:

· adjusting the temperatures in air-conditioned offices to a minimum of 27oC

· switching off electrical equipment and electricity in offices when not in use

· installing energy saving system for computers and electrical equipment

· reducing the use of lifts and promoting the use of staircases for short distances

· replacing the use of paper and copying machines with electronic copies

· increasing the use of tele conferences to reduce travel and car pooling

Airin that said the government has assigned the Public Relations Department to seek cooperation from TV and radio stations and online platforms in the launch of the energy-saving campaign.

She said that the measures will be voluntary at first but, if the energy situation deteriorates, additional measures will be rolled out and become mandatory.

These include the closure of petrol stations at 10pm, except for those located on main highways, and switching off of illuminated LED sign boards at 10pm.

A cutback in electricity consumption by 5% would mean that 31 million units would be saved per month, according to Airin.