The Prime Minister is urgently establishing regulations for "data centers," emphasizing that they must not only be places of operation but also create added value for the country.

The Prime Minister is accelerating the establishment of regulations for "data centers," emphasizing that it's not just about location, but also about creating added value for the country. He is open to listening to feedback and will expedite the issuance of regulations to keep pace with technological advancements.

On September 4, 2026, at 8:30 AM, at the Phakdi Bodin Building, Government House, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, presided over the opening of the 1st meeting of the Data Center Business Policy Committee for 2026.

Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Prime Minister thanked all parties for their cooperation in defining a clear, systematic, and aligned policy direction and framework for Thailand's data center sector. Data centers are crucial infrastructure supporting the storage and processing of data for future industries and form a vital foundation for the development of the digital economy.

The Prime Minister stated that Thailand is currently attracting continuous interest from both domestic and foreign investors due to its strategic location, ready infrastructure, and role as an economic hub in the ASEAN region. However, these opportunities come with challenges, including the high consumption of electricity, water, land, and utilities, as well as environmental impacts, security concerns, and cybersecurity issues. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate these sectors to ensure compliance with laws, standards, and national interests.

The Prime Minister addressed public concerns regarding the establishment of data centers in urban areas, stating that data centers are part of the digital transformation, and while laws and regulatory measures are still under development, the government must expedite the establishment of appropriate guidelines to build confidence and mitigate potential impacts.

“Thailand’s goal is not just to solve immediate problems or attract investment so that we become merely a data center location, but this investment must create added value for the country,” the Prime Minister said.

He reiterated that Thailand must attract related industries, promote technology transfer, develop Thai human resources, create a digital ecosystem, and enhance the country's long-term competitiveness.

The Prime Minister stated that many countries have gone through similar development phases, reviewing regulations and designing appropriate systems to ensure the continuous and balanced expansion and development of digital economic infrastructure.

The Prime Minister requested the committee to comprehensively consider key issues, including defining and the legal status of data centers, establishing Green Data Center standards, promoting renewable energy, data protection and cybersecurity, and supporting Thailand's AI and Cloud ecosystem.

“I am confident that, with the right direction, Thailand can fully leverage the opportunities for growth in the digital economy, becoming a digital and innovation hub in the region, while achieving stable and sustainable development.”

The Prime Minister also thanked all parties for their interest and for bringing their concerns to the meeting for discussion and solutions. He believes this meeting will be crucial in gathering information and opinions to formulate policies and guidelines for regulating data center operations in line with the current situation, and will continue to listen to suggestions from all parties to lead to the issuance of appropriate announcements and regulations.

The Prime Minister then assigned the Deputy Prime Minister, in his capacity as Chairperson of the meeting, to proceed with the agenda.

Reference: www.thaigov.go.th

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