Bangkok halts new data centre approvals

Bangkok has banned the approval of new data centre projects, responding to concerns over potential negative impacts, according to governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Currently, around 30 to 40 data centres exist in the city, but they have not caused any significant harm to resources, the environment, or safety, he stated during a briefing at City Hall.

Most of the smaller data centres serve the internal needs of individual businesses. However, large-scale data centres have been in development over the past five years to cater to external organizations. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has approved three such projects and has denied permission for the remaining six requests, shelving them for a review of relevant regulations.

The existing laws do not adequately define data centres, leading to the need for regulatory changes. Assistant governor Kasem Sathonghak of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority noted that while data centres were designed to consume 20 megawatts of electricity each, their real power consumption is only about eight megawatts. Metropolitan Waterworks Authority deputy governor Supichete Thavorntaveevong explained that large data centres in Bangkok use around 7,800 cubic meters of water per month, whereas large hospitals require 20,000 cubic meters and big department stores use 30,000 to 40,000 cubic meters per month.

He assured that there has been no impact on water services in Bangkok so far. The digital economy and society minister Chaichanok Chidchob alleged that many data centres were operating without permission in Bangkok, and authorities are investigating fuel stockpiling and foreign investment status of some facilities. Two larger data centres, Edgnex and Telehouse, have been approved in the Rama IX area of Bangkok.

The government plans to establish a new data centre board to set conditions for water and electricity consumption and environmental protection, with the issuance of new fuel storage licences suspended until relevant regulations are revised. Data centres must reserve fuel for 48 hours of electricity generation, and officials will ensure compliance with the approved limits.