Prime Minister Anutin Chairs First Data Center Policy Committee Meeting

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul convened the first meeting of the Data Center Policy Committee at Government House in Bangkok. The meeting aimed to define data centers as critical infrastructure of the digital economy and set national policy direction. Anutin emphasized that challenges such as electricity, water consumption, environmental impact, and cybersecurity must be addressed through clear regulations.

Thailand continues to attract domestic and foreign data center investment thanks to its infrastructure readiness and position as an ASEAN economic hub. The Prime Minister acknowledged public concerns, especially in urban neighborhoods, stating that existing laws are outdated and that regulations must build trust and manage impacts. The goal is not merely to host data centers but to create long-term competitiveness through technology transfer, workforce development, and a digital ecosystem.

Anutin cited that some operators exploit legal loopholes, pointing to a 20,000 megawatt electricity demand from regional power authorities as evidence of license speculation. Stricter rules, Green Data Center standards, renewable energy use such as wind and solar instead of fossil fuels, and alignment with Net Zero targets will be the focus of new regulations. The Committee will issue new regulations or amend existing laws as necessary.