Thailand Approves New Data Center Rules on Noise, Heat, Zoning and Cooling

Thailand's cabinet has approved a set of new regulations governing data center development, introducing limits on noise and heat emissions, mandating water recycling and testing, and tightening zoning requirements for power-intensive facilities, according to the government's data center committee.

The new rules cap noise levels around data centers at 70 A-weighted decibels and restrict ambient temperature increases in surrounding communities to between 1 and 2 degrees Celsius. For reference, 70 decibels is slightly quieter than the sound of a vacuum cleaner in operation. The regulations also require that cooling water be recycled and that discharged water undergo quality testing before release.

Under the revised zoning framework, data centers consuming more than 20 megawatts of electricity must be located within industrial parks subject to stricter regulatory oversight, said Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of Thailand's economic planning agency, following the cabinet's approval.

The crackdown follows the suspension of 49 data center projects earlier this year amid complaints over environmental and community safety concerns. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has stated that projects failing to meet safety and environmental requirements "will not be allowed to proceed under any circumstances."

The regulatory tightening comes as Thailand positions itself as a regional digital infrastructure hub. The Board of Investment said it has approved 57 data center projects nationwide, of which 17 are already operational, 20 have obtained construction permits and another 20 are in the pre-investment preparation stage.

However, the board also flagged a significant volume of speculative applications. More than 110 applicants have submitted power requests totaling over 30,000 megawatts, but "only about a quarter or fewer of these companies have genuine investment plans," the board said.

Thailand attracted more than $50 billion in investment promotion applications in the first nine months of this year, with 70% related to artificial intelligence, according to the board. Compliant projects approved before August 14 will be granted a one-year transition period to meet the new guidelines.