Thai television presenters took a surprising step to conserve energy during a live broadcast, removing their jackets in response to a government call to reduce reliance on air conditioning. The move comes as the Middle East conflict intensifies an energy crisis across Asia, particularly impacting countries heavily dependent on oil and gas from the Gulf States.
The ongoing conflict, now entering its fourth week, is acutely felt in Asia, with South and Southeast Asian nations facing a significant energy crunch. Approximately 80 percent of the region’s gas and oil supply originated from the Gulf States last year, according to The New York Times.
Disruptions to shipping through the largely blocked Strait of Hormuz – a critical waterway in the Persian Gulf – are significantly reducing the flow of tankers carrying oil and liquefied natural gas to Asian shores, as companies fear potential attacks from Iran. The resulting supply constraints are rippling through regional economies.
Southeast Asia
“There are significant concerns here in Asia,” said Southeast Asia correspondent Thom Schelstraete from Thailand. “People are struggling with rising fuel prices. On top of that, Thailand received 15 percent fewer European visitors in March than usual, which is a major blow to the country.” Dubai and Doha airports, key transit hubs for European tourists traveling to Southeast Asia, are experiencing disruptions.
Schelstraete continued, “Unlike in the Netherlands, the Thai government is subsidizing gasoline and diesel to keep it somewhat affordable for Thai citizens. But that costs the government approximately 26 million euros per day, a cost they cannot sustain indefinitely.” The government is also encouraging citizens to operate from home and conduct meetings online.
In the Philippines, the workweek for government employees has been shortened to four days to conserve electricity. Officials are also advising residents to set air conditioners no lower than 24 degrees Celsius and to limit elevator use. President Marcos is considering subsidies for transportation companies and fishermen.
Many Filipino fishermen are unable to afford to go to sea due to high fuel costs, with some seeking alternative employment. “We were proud fishermen with our own boat,” one Filipina woman told The New York Times. “Now we are forced to beg for work.”
South Asia
In India, businesses are closing earlier or temporarily suspending operations. Restaurants are also being forced to remove dishes from their menus due to the high gas consumption required for their preparation.
Access to gas cylinders is also proving difficult for Indian consumers. Maya Rani, 36, waits for hours each day to purchase a cylinder, often returning empty-handed. “I had to ask my neighbors to cook milk for my baby,” she told The Guardian.
Sri Lanka has implemented fuel rationing, leading to widespread hardship. “I was at this gas station at half past four in the morning,” a driver lamented to The Guardian. “But we only receive fifteen liters for an entire week, while I need between six and nine liters per day to get around.”
Bangladesh is also restricting fuel sales, and universities and schools are closing early or entirely. The New York Times reported that the measures are aimed at conserving energy.
Damaged Energy Sector
The energy crisis is expected to persist, as damage to gas and oil installations in the Gulf States is substantial. Alternatives to oil are not always readily available, as their composition differs from oil sourced from other countries. The situation underscores the vulnerability of Asian economies to geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
In Thailand, residents are stockpiling supplies, Schelstraete observed from Bangkok. “After deals with Malaysia, South Africa, and the United States, there should be enough oil for the coming weeks. But people don’t trust that.”
The Gulf States have been drawn into the conflict by Iranian attacks, presenting them with a difficult dilemma, as shown in the video below:
