The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Ministry of Energy have stepped in to reassure the public over the local impact of data centre operations in the capital, insisting that the situation remains fully under control while temporary bans on new construction permits and fuel storage licences are enforced.
Speaking today, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the capital currently houses 30 to 40 data centres that operate as internal units of private firms or state agencies, alongside six dedicated facilities.
He noted that an inspection of a facility in the Rama IX area revealed that it had not applied for a construction permit.
Conversely, a site in Ramkhamhaeng was found to have obtained proper authorisation.
“Data centre projects are frequently submitted under the guise of general office buildings or commercial premises, benefitting from regulatory loopholes,” Chadchart acknowledged.
City Hall is coordinating with the government to establish a clear legal definition for data centres and designate dedicated zones in the upcoming city master plan to prevent facilities from being built near residential communities.
The governor added that city inspectors have been instructed to conduct strict site inspections. Local regulations will be enforced immediately against any operators found causing a public nuisance, particularly through late-night generator testing or fuel odours.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy has halted the issuance of new permits for emergency fuel reserves serving data centres, pending new operational guidelines from the national data centre oversight board, according to Thitiphat Chotidechachainan, secretary to the energy minister.
An inspection of the facility on Ramkhamhaeng Soi 28 revealed 200,000 litres of diesel stored for backup power generation, which remains under the legal ceiling of 500,000 litres.
Officials confirmed, however, that the Rama IX site has received no operational or storage approvals from either the BMA or the Department of Energy Business.
Unauthorised operations carry a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment, a fine of up to 200,000 baht or both.
