PM Orders Data Center Standards Within One Month
Thailand's Prime Minister has ordered regulatory bodies to establish minimum safety and operational standards for data centers within one month, aiming to address gaps in previous regulations and ensure proper oversight of the growing secto
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed regulatory bodies to establish minimum standards for data centers with public safety as the primary concern, to be completed within one month. On September 11, 2026, at Government House, Anutin returned from Parliament after the Senate approved the 2027 fiscal budget bill, which had already passed the House of Representatives. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas accompanied him.
At 4:40 p.m., Ekniti reported that preliminary data integration on data centers was completed today, and all subcommittees have been tasked with setting minimum standards covering economic, social, and environmental aspects. An economics subcommittee will review the system's value and benefits to Thailand. Environmental standards will follow the Environmental Impact Assessment Code of Practice, while the Energy Ministry will examine infrastructure requirements. Data center operators will pay higher electricity rates, with benefits redirected to reduce public burden. Future investments in clean energy will also be considered.
Regarding location, data centers must not be situated in city centers, with a separate committee overseeing safety requirements. Ekniti noted that previous Thai data center regulations had vulnerabilities, with only three data centers operated by the Board of Investment in Bangkok.
