Bangkok halts new data center project, plans zoning regulations by 2570 to control large-scale projects (100-200 MW) and relocate them outside the city.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) orders a delay in granting data center permits and prepares to define zoning in the new city plan for 2570. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) confirm that current electricity and water usage is not yet affected.

On September 2, 2026, at 2:21 PM, Mr. Chatchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, revealed that an investigation found that there are currently approximately 30-40 data centers in Bangkok. These include both internal company systems and general cloud systems that have been in operation for a long time. However, for large-scale, standalone data centers established to provide commercial services to other agencies, applications for permits from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) were submitted between 2021 and 2022. Three have been granted permits (for the period 2022-2023), while the other three have been ordered to suspend their applications and review their relevant standards.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has now ordered on-site inspections and a temporary halt to the issuance of permits for projects that are causing public concern, particularly in the Rama 9 area. This is to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the risks and concerns, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, before making a final decision.

"The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is not ignoring this issue. We were informed that a data center was being built near Rama 9 Hospital and ordered a halt to the construction, refusing to issue any further permits, three weeks ago," Mr. Chatchart said.

Mr. Chatchart stated that, to address the problem in the long term, Bangkok is preparing to incorporate the definition of a Data Center, as per the Prime Minister's Office announcement, into the draft Bangkok Comprehensive City Planning Act, expected to be enacted in 2570. This will include zoning regulations specifying areas where construction is permitted and potentially limiting the appropriate power capacity, such as to no more than 10-20 megawatts or kilowatts, to ensure it aligns with community needs.

Large-scale data centers, with capacities of 100–200 megawatts, are more suitable for locations outside the city, such as the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) or nearby provinces.

Regarding concerns about the impact on the electricity, water supply, and wastewater systems, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) have stated that the increased usage of data centers in Bangkok will not affect the general public.

According to Mr. Kasem Sarathonghak, Assistant Governor (Planning and Innovation) of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) , the data center in Bangkok has a capacity of approximately 20 megawatts, but only about 8 megawatts are actually in use. The power supply is separated from the data center system, so it does not affect the public's electricity supply. This differs from other provinces or the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) area, which use hundreds of megawatts of data center capacity.

Meanwhile, Mr. Supichet Thavornthaweewong, Deputy Governor of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) , stated that large data centers in Bangkok use an average of approximately 7,800 cubic meters of water per month, which is less than large hospitals (approximately 20,000 cubic meters per month) and shopping malls (30,000-40,000 cubic meters per month). The MWA confirms that this water usage has not yet affected the public's water supply.

Regarding wastewater, the Bangkok Governor confirmed that most of the water is used for cooling the system, so no pollutants are released. However, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will continue to monitor the temperature of the water discharged into public waterways.

Regarding concerns about environmental impact, the Bangkok Governor stated that noise pollution is already controlled by existing laws on nuisance and decibel levels, eliminating the need for new legislation.

Regarding the storage of 500,000 liters of diesel fuel as a reserve, Mr. Chatchart stated that the data center requires generators and backup fuel tanks for a 48-hour power outage, in accordance with international standards. The Department of Energy Business has also established safety measures, including a 25-meter setback from the property line and a spill containment system.

Furthermore, the law stipulates that fuel can be stockpiled for personal use up to a maximum of 500,000 liters. Exceeding this amount is considered a fuel storage facility that cannot be located within urban planning zones. However, if research indicates that this quantity is excessive for urban areas, a proposal will be made to review and reduce it.

Ms. Thitiphas Chotdechachainant, Secretary to the Minister of Energy, clarified that the Ministry of Energy has suspended the issuance of emergency oil stockpiling licenses for new data centers, pending the data center board's consideration and establishment of clear guidelines.

Regarding matters that have already been authorized, such as the storage of oil reserves at Ramkhamhaeng 28, where news reports stated that up to 4 liters were stored, Ms. Thitipass confirmed that the Ministry did not authorize such a large storage capacity. Anyone found storing more oil than that will face legal action.

Regarding the Rama 9 area, Ms. Thitipass confirmed that no approval has been granted. If any illegal business operations or unauthorized oil storage are discovered, legal action will be taken to the fullest extent of the law, with penalties including imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both.

During the upcoming meeting with the Data Center committee, which the government is preparing to hold on September 4th, Mr. Chatchart stated that he will propose the establishment of clear, quick, and easily implementable measures and criteria to create a uniform standard nationwide. This will help build public confidence and security, and Bangkok is ready to comply.

Reference: Facebook: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

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