Anutin Chairs Data Center Board 1/2026: 4 Teams Formed
PM Anutin Charnvirakul leads the first data center policy committee meeting, establishing 4 subcommittees to set clear regulations within 1 month.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired the first Data Center Policy Committee meeting of 2026 at Bangkok Government House on September 4.
- Four subcommittees were established to regulate the economy, infrastructure, building locations, and environmental standards within one month.
- Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported 6 submitted projects in Bangkok, with 3 operational and 3 pending new policies.
On September 4, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul chaired the inaugural meeting of the Data Center Policy Committee for 2026 at Bangkok Government House. Key cabinet ministers and officials attended the session, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Chaiwatchanak Chidchob, Minister of Energy Eknat Promphan, and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The meeting focused on structuring Thailand's digital economic infrastructure to sustainably handle massive electricity and water consumption.
Anutin noted that public concern over data centers in urban communities has grown while existing laws remain outdated. The government must establish proper regulatory measures to ensure public confidence. He instructed the committee to prioritize legal definitions, Green Data Center standards, renewable energy integration, cybersecurity, and support for Thailand's AI and Cloud ecosystem.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Thailand's aggressive push for Green Data Center regulations highlights a proactive approach to managing the massive resource consumption and environmental footprint typical of modern tech infrastructure. By establishing clear legal frameworks and municipal integration within a strict one-month timeframe, the government aims to balance rapid digital economic growth with strict urban safety standards and global Net Zero commitments.
Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated that all incoming data center investors must present their strategies directly to the committee to drive national economic benefits and align with Net Zero goals. Meanwhile, NESDC Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan announced that agencies will submit data within one week to draft official regulations within a month, overseen by four specialized subcommittees covering the economy, infrastructure, spatial planning, and environmental standards.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt added that Bangkok currently hosts 6 applied data center projects ranging from 9 to 23 megawatts, with 3 already operational. The remaining 3 pending applications will be temporarily paused to await the committee's definitive guidelines. Furthermore, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to formally classify data center buildings within its upcoming urban zoning drafts to guarantee long-term safety and environmental compliance.
"However, 3 projects that have already been approved as data centers must be monitored for safety and risk factors. If new regulations apply, they must comply with the new data center rules."
Chadchart Sittipunt
Source: Matichon Politics
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