Fuel rations and no air con: south-east Asian nations race to conserve energy

Southeast Asian governments are imposing sweeping energy conservation measures—including fuel rationing, reduced air conditioning, and shortened work weeks—to shield citizens from skyrocketing fuel costs. The region's heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil has made it vulnerable to disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict, which the International Energy Agency says represents the largest supply shock in global oil market history. Thailand's government has publicly called for reduced air conditioning use, the Philippines has shifted many workers to four-day weeks, and Vietnam is encouraging remote work arrangements. These measures reflect the acute pressure facing oil-importing nations in Southeast Asia, where energy costs directly affect both household budgets and government spending. The crisis underscores how geopolitical instability in the Middle East creates cascading economic effects across Asia.