Suradech urges relocation of Bangkok data centers to EEC

Independent politician Suradech Yasawat has urged the Thai Prime Minister to address safety concerns regarding hyperscale data centers located in Bangkok and near residential communities. He proposed relocating two specific companies—one situated near a hospital and another in a populated area—to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) or suitable industrial estates that possess better infrastructure to support such facilities.

Suradech noted that while many data centers are foreign investments promoted by the Board of Investment (BOI), Thailand currently lacks specific laws to regulate the industry effectively. Existing regulations do not sufficiently cover data types, safety standards, or location requirements. He suggested that some operators may bypass strict regulations by keeping oil storage levels just below legal thresholds, still posing risks to urban areas.

Political parties have also weighed in on the issue. The Democrat Party proposed six measures to manage data centers within the EEC, emphasizing that the government must prioritize national benefit and clear regulations. Meanwhile, Supanut Meenachainan of the People's Party highlighted that efforts to organize data center management through the Ministry of Interior have seen little progress over the past two years.