BOI to tighten Data Center screening based on new regulations

MGR Online•Economy•19d ago

Reader Briefing

The Board of Investment (BOI) is revising its screening criteria for Data Center projects to align with a new Cabinet-approved regulation.

•The Cabinet approved the Prime Minister's Office Regulations on the Data Center Business Policy Committee on August 5, 2026.
•BOI will implement stricter screening focusing on economic value, energy and water efficiency, and environmental impacts.
•Between 2024–2026, 42 Data Center projects with a total investment of 750,000 million baht were approved.
•No new Data Center investment applications have been submitted since April 2026.

Overview

•The Board of Investment (BOI) is reviewing its consideration framework to align with the guidelines of the Data Center Business Policy Committee.
•The Cabinet approved the Prime Minister's Office Regulations on the Data Center Business Policy Committee on August 5, 2026.
•Between 2024–2026, the Board of Investment (BOI) approved 42 Data Center projects with a total IT load of 3,400 megawatts and investment of 750,000 million baht.
•Investment in these 42 projects includes 15 Thai companies, 10 from China, 5 from the United States, 4 from the United Arab Emirates, 2 from Japan, 1 from Malaysia-Hong Kong, and 5 from other nationalities.
•Narit Thordsirisak stated that BOI values social concerns regarding electricity and water usage, which must be addressed with concrete data and measures.
•The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) has approved a higher electricity rate for Data Centers and requires a guarantee for electricity usage.
•The Board of Investment (BOI) is studying four dimensions for screening: national benefit, energy security, water resource efficiency, and environmental impact.
•Relevant agencies are integrating data to create a national Power Map and Water Map for appropriate zoning.

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Key Quotes

Narit Thordsirisak

"Thailand's challenge should not be choosing between rejecting all Data Center investments or accepting every project without conditions."

โจทย์ของประเทศไทยไม่ควรเป็นการเลือกระหว่างการปฏิเสธการลงทุน Data Center ทั้งหมด หรือเปิดรับทุกโครงการโดยไม่มีเงื่อนไข

Key Entities

Organization

Board of Investment(บีโอไอ)

The agency responsible for promoting investment and screening Data Center projects in Thailand.

Data Center Business Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายการประกอบกิจการดาต้าเซ็นเตอร์)

A national committee chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister to propose policies and standards for Data Center approvals.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The government body that approved the Data Center business policy regulations.

AWSℹ️

A global Cloud provider that has invested in Data Centers in Thailand and collaborated on educational programs.

Googleℹ️

A global Cloud provider that has invested in Data Centers and digital skill development projects in Thailand.

King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang(สถาบันเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าเจ้าคุณทหารลาดกระบัง)ℹ️

The institution that collaborated with AWS to develop Thailand's first Master's degree in Data Center Engineering.

Board of Investment Board(คณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน)

The board chaired by Ekniti Nitithandprapas that decided to review Data Center screening frameworks.

National Energy Policy Council(คณะกรรมการนโยบายพลังงานแห่งชาติ)

The council that approved higher electricity rates for Data Center users.

Person

Narit Thordsirisak(นฤตม์ เทอดสถีรศักดิ์)

The Secretary General of the Board of Investment.

Ekniti Nitithandprapas(เอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)

The Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI Board).

Law

Prime Minister's Office Regulations on the Data Center Business Policy Committee(ระเบียบสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรีว่าด้วยคณะกรรมการนโยบายการประกอบกิจการดาต้าเซ็นเตอร์)

Regulations approved by the Cabinet on August 5, 2026, to establish a national policy committee for Data Centers.