Cabinet sets up Data Center Policy Committee

Thansettakij•Economy•8d ago

Reader Briefing

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Data Center Business Policy Committee to regulate the industry's growth and protect public resources.

•The Cabinet approved the Draft Prime Minister's Office Regulation on the Data Center Business Policy Committee on August 5, 2026.
•The regulation was proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilpraphan.
•The committee will set standards for state agency approvals and monitor the impacts of data center operations.
•The policy focuses on five dimensions: energy security, resource allocation, urban planning/safety, data security, and remedy mechanisms.

Overview

•On August 5, 2026, the Cabinet approved new regulations to oversee the rapidly expanding Data Center business.
•Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilpraphan proposed the Draft Prime Minister's Office Regulation on the Data Center Business Policy Committee.
•The government aims to prevent massive resource consumption by Data Centers from impacting the electricity and water access of citizens.
•The Cabinet established the Data Center Business Policy Committee to define operational frameworks for state agencies and conduct impact research.
•Ratchada Thanadirek stated that the committee exists to protect national and public interests across five key dimensions.
•The policy mandates the use of clean energy and fair water and land allocation to avoid depriving other sectors.
•The regulation requires strict data sovereignty protections and the establishment of remedy measures for environmental or community impacts.
•All future Data Center investments must comply with standards set by the Data Center Business Policy Committee and undergo strict evaluation.

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Key Quotes

Ratchada Thanadirek

"This policy will ensure that not just anyone can come in and invest in this business. Everything must follow the standards set by the committee and be strictly monitored and evaluated to ensure the promotion of Data Centers truly benefits the nation."

นโยบายนี้จะทำให้มั่นใจได้ว่า ไม่ใช่ใครก็ได้ที่จะเดินเข้ามาลงทุนในธุรกิจนี้ ทุกอย่างต้องเป็นไปตามมาตรฐานที่คณะกรรมการกำหนด และต้องถูกตรวจสอบประเมินผลอย่างเข้มงวด เพื่อให้การส่งเสริม Data Center เกิดประโยชน์ต่อประเทศชาติอย่างแท้จริง

Key Entities

Organization

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The government body that approved the regulations for the Data Center Business Policy Committee on August 5, 2026.

Data Center Business Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายการประกอบกิจการด้าน Data Center)

The committee empowered to set standards, guidelines, and monitor the impacts of Data Center businesses.

Prime Minister's Office(สำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี)

The office for which Ratchada Thanadirek serves as spokesperson.

Person

Ratchada Thanadirek(รัชดา ธนาดิเรก)

The spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office who announced the Cabinet's resolution.

Pakorn Nilpraphan(ปกรณ์ นิลประพันธ์)

The Deputy Prime Minister who proposed the draft regulation for the Data Center Business Policy Committee.

Law

Draft Prime Minister's Office Regulation on the Data Center Business Policy Committee(ร่างระเบียบสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี ว่าด้วยคณะกรรมการนโยบายการประกอบกิจการด้าน Data Center)

The proposed regulation approved by the Cabinet to govern Data Center operations.