Energy Ministry fines Rama 9 Data Center for illegal fuel storage

MGR Online•General•19d ago

Reader Briefing

The Ministry of Energy discovered an illegal stockpile of 200,000 liters of diesel at a Data Center in the Rama 9 area.

•The Ministry of Energy inspected a large Data Center in the Rama 9 area on September 2, 2026.
•Inspectors found 200,000 liters of diesel stored without a legal permit for emergency generators.
•The Department of Energy Business will file charges under the Fuel Control Act 1999 on September 3.
•The Ministry of Energy and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration prohibit fuel storage for emergency generators in urban communities.

•Residents and shops in the Rama 9 area reported smelling fuel for over 2 months, with some experiencing dizziness and vomiting during heavy rain.
•On September 2, 2026, Thitiphat Chotidechachainan and the Department of Energy Business inspected a Data Center project involving a joint venture between Eastern and Thai capital groups.
•The inspection revealed 200,000 liters of reserve diesel fuel stored without a legal business permit.
•All fuel has been pumped out of the tanks, leaving only some residue.
•The Department of Energy Business will file a complaint on September 3 to prosecute the entity under Section 65 of the Fuel Control Act 1999.
•Thitiphat Chotidechachainan confirmed a policy with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to strictly prohibit fuel storage for emergency generators in urban community areas.
•On Friday, September 4, the Ministry of Energy will propose that the National Economic and Social Development Council, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Electricity Authority, and the Waterworks Authority collaborate on zoning criteria.
•The Ministry of Energy has signaled operators to delay projects until new zoning and safety criteria are clear.

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Thitiphat Chotidechachainan

""not allow""

"ไม่อนุญาต"

Ministry of Energy(กระทรวงพลังงาน)ℹ️

The government body that inspected the Data Center and set policies against urban fuel storage.

Rama 9 Hospital(โรงพยาบาลพระราม 9)

A hospital located adjacent to the inspected Data Center.

Department of Energy Business(กรมธุรกิจพลังงาน)

The agency that conducted the search and will file the legal complaint.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(กรุงเทพมหานคร)ℹ️

The city authority collaborating with the Ministry of Energy on urban fuel storage prohibitions and zoning.

Data Center Business Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายการประกอบกิจการ Data Center)

The committee meeting on September 4 to discuss new regulations.

National Economic and Social Development Council(สำนักงานสภาพัฒนาการเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ (สศช.))

The agency requested to help develop zoning criteria for Data Centers.

Electricity Authority(การไฟฟ้า)

One of the agencies requested to help establish zoning and safety criteria.

Waterworks Authority(การประปา)

One of the agencies requested to help establish zoning and safety criteria.

Rama 9(พระราม 9)ℹ️

The area where the Data Center and the reported fuel odors were located.

Thitiphat Chotidechachainan(นางสาวฐิติภัสร์ โชติเดชาชัยนันต์)

Secretary to the Minister of Energy who led the inspection of the Data Center.

Fuel Control Act 1999(พระราชบัญญัติควบคุมน้ำมันเชื้อเพลิง พ.ศ. 2542)

The law under which the Data Center will be prosecuted for illegal fuel storage.