Thailand imposes strict environmental controls on data centers amid AI investment boom

Thailand has introduced new regulations governing data centers, setting environmental benchmarks for noise, heat, and water usage as the country experiences a rapid expansion in infrastructure driven by the AI investment surge. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the Thai Economic Planning Agency, confirmed that the cabinet approved these rules, which mandate that the noise from uninterruptible power supply systems must remain below approximately 70 dBA. Furthermore, the new standards restrict the temperature increase at the facility boundary to between 1 and 2 degrees Celsius, and require that cooling water be recycled while wastewater undergoes testing. Pichayanan also noted that data centers located within industrial parks will face additional requirements. These measures aim to allow Thailand to benefit from the growing economic gains from AI investment while mitigating the strain on local water resources and power supply, and preventing operational impacts on neighboring communities. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas affirmed the commitment to the highest standards, stating that any project failing to meet safety and environmental criteria will not proceed. Data from the Thai Board of Investment indicated that in the first nine months of this year, Thailand received over $50 billion in investment promotion applications, with AI-related projects accounting for roughly 70% of that total.