Gulf: Data Centers to Draw 4.5 Trillion Baht Back to Thailand

Khaosod•Economy•14h ago

Reader Briefing

Gulf highlights the economic potential of data centers to reduce Thailand's digital service trade deficit.

•Thailand pays approximately 340,000 million baht per month or 4.5 trillion baht per year for foreign digital services.
•Smith describes data centers as infrastructure similar to office buildings or malls that do not emit radiation.
•Thailand's data center capacity has increased from under 100 megawatts to approximately 700 megawatts.
•The use of new technology has reduced Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) from 1.8 to below 1.2.

•Smith explains that data centers are structures similar to large office buildings or shopping malls containing computers, cooling systems, and security.
•Smith states that data centers require multiple backup power systems, such as UPS and diesel generators, to ensure 24-hour continuous operation.
•Thailand spends approximately 340,000 million baht monthly or 4.5 trillion baht annually on Cloud Computing, enterprise software, streaming, and foreign social media platforms.
•Smith compares establishing data centers in Thailand to building car assembly plants, which creates local value-add, employment, and supply chains.
•Thailand's total data center capacity has grown from less than 100 megawatts to approximately 700 megawatts including those under construction.
•Smith identifies a Late Mover Advantage for Thailand, allowing the country to start with the latest AI processing chips and energy-efficient technology.
•New data centers in Thailand have reduced PUE levels from 1.8 to below 1.2, significantly saving cooling energy.
•Smith asserts that integrating clean energy with digital infrastructure is key to driving the Thai economy forward sustainably.

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Smith

"We already pay this amount every month, but the data and processing are stored abroad."

เราจ่ายเงินจำนวนนี้ออกไปอยู่แล้วทุกเดือน เพียงแต่ข้อมูลและการประมวลผลถูกเก็บไว้ต่างประเทศ

Gulf(กัลฟ์)

An organization supporting the digital economy and the development of data centers in Thailand.

Smith(สมิทธ์)

A representative who provided insights on the Thai digital industry, data center operations, and economic impacts.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

The country experiencing a digital service trade deficit and increasing its data center capacity.

Singapore(สิงคโปร์)ℹ️

A country mentioned as having approximately 5,600 megawatts of data center capacity.