Thailand Tightens Data Center Rules, Demands Green Investment
The user wants a short summary (1-2 sentences, 120-220 characters max 240) for a news deck. Must be in English only. No filler. Lead with what happened, then single most important detail. No title repetition. Output only summary text. Artic
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas disclosed after chairing the fourth meeting of the Data Center Policy Committee for 2026 on October 27, joined by relevant agencies. The meeting approved a draft policy on data center governance and tasked the secretariat with submitting it to the Cabinet for further consideration. The policy contains several key provisions:
1. A "data center (DC)" is now defined as a building, site, or structure housing electronic equipment that provides data collection, storage, processing, hosting, or electronic transmission services to non-affiliated entities, with power demand of 0.5 MW or greater.
2. The Department of Business Development (DBD) is assigned to develop the TH-DC Dashboard to consolidate approval and licensing data from all relevant state agencies.
3. Minimum requirements were approved across four dimensions: (1) site location, land-use plans, and backup fuel storage for power generation; (2) connection to national electricity and water grids; (3) environmental Code of Practice (CoP) reporting; and (4) economic and social contributions. Data centers are classified into seven tiers based on power capacity — from Tier 1 (0–0.5 MW) to Tier 7 (≥200 MW) — with progressively stricter requirements at each level. A subcommittee will detail the application process and user journey for DC operators.
4. Because these minimum requirements supplement existing regulations, agencies need 8–12 months to issue or amend relevant rules. The new framework will not apply retroactively to operators who have already begun construction and obtained valid permits. Transitional measures include:
4.1. Operational data centers: DBD will issue regulations requiring operators to comply with the committee's CoP within one year, submitted via the DC-OSS system.
4.2. Centers with construction permits (under Building Control Act Sections 11/39) issued before August 11, 2026 (when the Prime Minister's Office regulation took effect), that are completed and ready for service: relevant agencies will evaluate approvals under current laws and notify DBD of outcomes.
