Thailand Launches First Data Center Policy Board Meeting

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired the first meeting of the Data Center Business Policy Committee on September 4, 2026, at Government House. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ek Niti Nitithanprayast, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob, Energy Minister Eknath Prompt Puntharangsee, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, and other senior officials.

Anutin stated that the meeting aimed to establish direction and policy for Thailand's data center sector in line with current technology. He emphasized that data centers are critical infrastructure for digital economic development, though their growth brings significant challenges including high electricity and water consumption, environmental concerns, and cybersecurity risks.

The Prime Minister noted that Thailand is attracting both domestic and foreign investors to the data center sector, positioning itself as a regional economic hub. However, he acknowledged public concerns, particularly in urban areas, and stressed the government's responsibility to establish appropriate regulations and safeguards.

Anutin emphasized that Thailand's goal extends beyond simply attracting investment. Data center development must create value, attract related industries, facilitate technology transfer, develop local talent, build a digital ecosystem, and enhance long-term national competitiveness. He called on the committee to carefully consider key issues including clear legal definitions and status for data centers, green data center standards, renewable energy promotion, data protection, cybersecurity, and support for Thailand's AI and cloud ecosystem.

The Prime Minister acknowledged Bangkok Governor Chadchart's efforts to address public concerns about data center operations in the capital, noting that some facilities operate without proper licenses or exploit legal loopholes to reduce costs.