Thailand has approved new rules to limit the environmental and community impact of data centers. The Cabinet cleared the measures on November 10. The rules cap noise and heat, and they require operators to manage the water they use for cooling.
Noise from a data center must not go above 70 decibels at the edge of the site. This covers all equipment, including backup power systems. The temperature around a data center must not increase by more than 1 to 2 degrees Celsius while operating.
Operators must use cooling systems that reuse water. They must also check the quality of wastewater before they release it. Centers inside industrial estates face extra rules.
The rules are part of a plan that sorts data centers into seven groups by power use. The smallest data centers use less than 0.5 megawatts, while the largest require 200 megawatts or more. The more power a center uses, the tougher the rules get. Centers that use 20 megawatts or more must be built in industrial zones. Smaller ones can open in commercial areas.
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Thailand wants more investment in AI and cloud services. But many people worry about the strain on power and water supply and about the effect on nearby communities. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the country will hold these projects to high standards.
Officials said they will judge each plan on more than its monetary value. They will also look at jobs, skills training for Thai workers, ties with local suppliers, and the use of clean energy. The government is also working on a one-stop service to speed up approvals.
The Board of Investment said applications for investment support passed USD 50 billion in the first nine months of 2026. AI projects made up about 70% of that value.
The new rules aim to let the sector grow while keeping its impact on resources and communities in check. How well they work will depend on how closely operators follow them in the years ahead.