Thailand to implement new data center regulatory standards within one month

The Thai government has announced a new regulatory framework for data centers, aiming to establish national standards within one month. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, chairing the Data Center Policy Committee, stated that the initiative seeks to transition from fragmented departmental approvals to a unified national strategy.

The committee will establish four working groups focusing on economic value, infrastructure (water, electricity, and digital), land use and urban planning, and environmental impact. A centralized dashboard will be created within one week to track all existing, under-construction, and pending projects to ensure a comprehensive overview of the sector.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that these measures are intended to prevent speculation, such as obtaining permits solely for commercial resale, and to crack down on illegal operations like unauthorized cryptocurrency mining that steals electricity. He assured investors that the new regulations would not hinder confidence but would instead provide the clarity needed to support high-tech AI industries.

In Bangkok, Governor Chatchart Sittipunt confirmed that data centers will now be classified under the industrial category to improve safety standards. Currently, six projects are identified in the capital; three are operational and three are pending approval, with the latter being temporarily paused for review under the new guidelines.