Thailand pauses all data center projects as it looks to solve water and electricity issues and 'create the most benefit'

Date:
Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:10:00 +0000

Description:
Thailand has paused 166 data center projects while officials create rules covering power, water, sites, safety, and economic benefits.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Thailand has frozen 166 data center projects pending new national rules Officials found major gaps in data on existing data centers Large data centers are putting new pressure on water supplies Thailand has halted 166 data center projects while officials work on new rules for electricity, water, locations, safety, and economic returns.

The pause covers 49 facilities already being built and another 117 projects still waiting for approval from government agencies. Officials say the review aims to keep attracting investment while ensuring data centers provide jobs, technology gains, and useful services for Thailand. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Thailand puts data center growth under
review The decision followed a recent meeting of the national data center policy board, which ordered four groups to draft standards within one month.

Four subcommittees will each examine a different area: economic benefits, infrastructure needs, site and location standards, and environmental protection. You may like Industry trade board warns UK government over data center thirst for resources Irelands data center electricity consumption
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The review comes after agencies found limited information about the countrys total data center activity, including facilities already running and projects awaiting approval.

Information from 16 government bodies showed that 35 data centers were operating, with 11 receiving investment support through Thailands Board of Investment. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners
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Another 24 facilities gained approval through other routes, while several smaller centers were operated by financial institutions.

The government now wants one central system showing project locations, approval status, electricity sources, water supplies, planning rules, and other key details.

That system would allow agencies to examine the combined effects of multiple facilities instead of reviewing each project through separate approval channels. What to read next Many new AI data centers will be built on US drought-hit areas Why Australias data center boom is becoming a balancing act Google says how it will solve the AI data center water problem by 2030

Bangkok has also begun checking existing sites, with six projects seeking approval and each requiring between 9 MW and 23 MW of power.

Three received approval and began operations from 2022 through 2024, while
the remaining applications will stay frozen until national standards are ready. Water, power, and economic gains shape new rules The planned rules
will cover electricity demand, water use, site selection, construction
safety, backup fuel storage, environmental effects, and distance from nearby buildings.

Officials are also reviewing whether facilities using more than 2 MW should face rules similar to those applied to industrial businesses.

Large centers need constant power and significant water for cooling, creating concerns about pressure on local networks and supplies.

The government also wants prices for water and electricity to account for direct and indirect costs linked to large facilities.

That approach is intended to prevent households and other businesses from carrying costs tied to data center resource use.

Future projects could face a competitive approval process that weighs employment, technology transfer, clean energy use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said data centers matter to Thailands economy, although the government lacked complete information about existing facilities and planned developments.

The government is now seeking full details on data centers so it can develop laws that will guide future investment decisions.

Rather than expanding server capacity without assessing their demand,
Thailand wants to gain more value from incoming projects.

The pause does not signal an end to Thailands data center ambitions, since officials continue seeking investment while examining how growth should proceed.

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