Cabinet sets up Data Center Policy Board for energy and environment

Thairath•Politics•7d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai Cabinet approved the establishment of the Data Center Business Policy Committee to regulate investment and resource usage.

•The Cabinet approved the draft regulation for the Data Center Business Policy Committee on August 5, 2026.
•The committee is designed to set clear policies and investment guidelines for the data center industry.
•The board will monitor energy security, natural resource use, and environmental impacts.
•The committee structure includes a Deputy Prime Minister as Chairperson and various ministers and permanent secretaries as members.

Overview

•On August 5, 2026, Ratchada Thanadirek announced the Cabinet's approval of the Data Center Business Policy Committee regulations.
•Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapun proposed the establishment of the Data Center Business Policy Committee.
•The committee was established because the data center business has attracted significant foreign investment, necessitating strict oversight of energy, water, land, and data security.
•The committee consists of a Chairperson (assigned Deputy Prime Minister), three Vice Chairpersons (Ministers of Digital Economy and Society, Interior, and Energy), 12 ex-officio members, and up to three qualified experts.
•The Data Center Business Policy Committee will propose policies and standards for government agencies to approve or provide services to operators.
•The committee will focus on supporting clean energy and fair energy pricing to maintain energy security.
•The committee will oversee urban planning and fire prevention to protect national data security.
•The Data Center Business Policy Committee will drive the industry toward the goal of Carbon Neutrality.

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Key Quotes

Ratchada Thanadirek

"The committee's operations aim to upgrade public administration, create clarity in driving the digital economy, and prevent data center businesses from affecting energy security and overall water resource allocation of the country."

การดำเนินงานของคณะกรรมการฯ มีเป้าหมายเพื่อยกระดับการบริหารราชการแผ่นดิน สร้างความชัดเจนในการขับเคลื่อนเศรษฐกิจดิจิทัล และป้องกันไม่ให้กิจการดาต้าเซ็นเตอร์ส่งผลกระทบต่อความมั่นคงทางพลังงานและการจัดสรรทรัพยากรน้ำในภาพรวมของประเทศ

Key Entities

Organization

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The government body that approved the regulations for the Data Center Business Policy Committee.

Data Center Business Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายการประกอบกิจการดาต้าเซ็นเตอร์)

A committee established to determine policies and investment guidelines for the data center industry.

Ministry of Digital Economy and Society(กระทรวงดิจิทัลเพื่อเศรษฐกิจและสังคม)ℹ️

An organization whose minister serves as a Vice Chairperson of the Data Center Business Policy Committee.

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

An organization whose minister serves as a Vice Chairperson of the Data Center Business Policy Committee.

Ministry of Energy(กระทรวงพลังงาน)ℹ️

An organization whose minister serves as a Vice Chairperson of the Data Center Business Policy Committee.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

An organization whose Permanent Secretary is an ex-officio member of the committee.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)ℹ️

An organization whose Permanent Secretary is an ex-officio member of the committee.

Office of the National Water Resources(สำนักงานทรัพยากรน้ำแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

An organization whose Secretary-General is an ex-officio member of the committee.

Energy Policy and Planning Office(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนพลังงาน)

An organization whose Director is an ex-officio member of the committee.

Person

Ratchada Thanadirek(รัชดา ธนาดิเรก)

The Government Spokesperson who announced the Cabinet's resolution.

Pakorn Nilprapun(ปกรณ์ นิลประพันธ์)

The Deputy Prime Minister who proposed the establishment of the Data Center Business Policy Committee.

Law

Regulations of the Office of the Prime Minister on the Data Center Business Policy Committee(ระเบียบสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี ว่าด้วยคณะกรรมการนโยบายการประกอบกิจการดาต้าเซ็นเตอร์)

The regulation approved by the Cabinet to establish the data center policy board.