Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said today that there are some data centres in Bangkok which are located in restricted areas where permission cannot be granted.
He admitted that he is not aware of the real objectives of these “illegal” data centres, which have been modified from non-profitable businesses to take advantage of the government’s push for data centres as a model for the future economy.
He went on to say that official investigations are under way to determine how many of these centres are located in restricted areas in Bangkok and how to deal with them.
Asked about the report that some of these data centres secretly store a substantial amount of fuel to generate electricity to feed the centres, Chaichanok said that he has also the reports and has asked the police to investigate. He added that he will find out if it is legal to store a huge amount of petrol in this way and for this purpose.
A data centre consumes a large amount of energy to keep the equipment and cooling systems running 24-7.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, in his capacity as chair of the Board of Investment, said that he will discuss proper regulation and control of data centres in Thailand with Danucha Pichayanan, secretary general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
There are currently between 40 and 65 operational data centres in Thailand, 80% of which are in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and the Eastern Economic Corridor.
