The Permanent Secretary of the Interior has informed departments, state enterprises, and governors in all 76 provinces to consider allowing civil servants to work from home without affecting public service efficiency, alongside energy-saving measures to address energy-related impacts.
12 March 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Atsit Samphanrat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, stated that due to unrest in the Middle East affecting global energy prices, the Ministry of Interior is accelerating energy-saving measures within government agencies following the Cabinet resolution on 10 March 2026 concerning energy policies to manage the impact of conflict in the Middle East.
To reduce government expenditure and model efficient resource use during this crisis, the Ministry has instructed all departments, state enterprises, and provinces to consider work-from-home arrangements appropriately, in line with the Cabinet's 20 September 2022 resolution on remote work, ensuring no negative impact on public service effectiveness.
Regarding civil servants' international travel, non-essential study trips abroad are to be suspended except for critical meetings; alternatives such as study visits or video conferencing should be used instead to reduce fuel and government budget expenses during the crisis.
Additionally, all agencies are to follow workplace energy-saving guidelines: set air-conditioning to 26–27 degrees Celsius, avoid leaving doors or windows open to prevent external heat and humidity, ensure air-conditioning is turned off after hours, switch off lights during lunch breaks or when unused, set computers to standby mode when idle, reduce paper use by prioritizing electronic documents, and encourage stair use over elevators.
"I have emphasized to provincial governors to exercise their authority to closely monitor and oversee the performance of all government units in their provinces, coordinate with local administrative organizations to raise awareness, adapt measures appropriately for each area, and promote energy-saving values among officials and the public to maximize the effectiveness of these policies amid high volatility, ensuring sustainable energy conservation outcomes."
