Bangkok: The Cabinet has given the green light to the creation of a data center policy committee tasked with overseeing the energy and environmental aspects of the burgeoning data center industry. The move is aimed at ensuring that businesses in this sector provide tangible benefits to the country.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilapraphan proposed the "Draft Prime Minister's Office Regulation on the Data Center Business Policy Committee," which the Cabinet has now approved. This regulation seeks to establish a framework for managing the data center business, focusing on the responsible use of vital resources such as water and electricity to minimize adverse effects on the public and the environment. The policy outlines five key areas: energy security, resource allocation, urban planning, data security, and impact mitigation. The committee will have the authority to establish standards and guidelines for government agencies to utilize when approving or licensing operators. Additionally, it will conduct research and continuously monitor and evaluate the impacts of data center operations for reporting to the Cabinet.
In another development, a national committee led by the Minister of Energy has been established to prepare for Thailand's hosting of the Global Energy Conference and Exhibition, Gastech 2026. This event, organized in association with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), is scheduled to take place from September 14-17, 2026. It is anticipated that the conference will attract around 50 foreign energy ministers and leaders from international organizations, alongside policymakers, academics, energy industry experts, and investors from 150 countries, totaling an estimated 50,000 attendees.