Korn Urges Government Clarification on Data Center Concerns

Thairath•Politics•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Korn Chatikavanij raised seven critical concerns regarding global Data Center investments during a live interpellation at Parliament.

•Korn Chatikavanij presented seven concerns regarding Data Center investments to the government on September 3, 2026.
•Concerns include environmental pollution, electricity costs, water resource competition, and technological sovereignty.
•The US government has expressed suspicion that Thailand could be a shortcut for China to access high-level chips.
•The Data Center policy committee is chaired by Ekniti Nitithandpraphas.

•On September 3, 2026, Korn Chatikavanij conducted a live interpellation at Parliament regarding Data Center investment policies.
•Korn Chatikavanij stated that the public is highly concerned about Data Centers emerging in areas such as Rama 9 Road.
•Korn Chatikavanij warned that the lack of a primary regulatory body allows operators to bypass laws by claiming facilities are warehouses to avoid Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
•Korn Chatikavanij noted that utilizing reserve electricity from natural gas could increase LNG imports and impact the FT electricity rate for citizens.
•Korn Chatikavanij highlighted that a medium-sized Data Center uses water equivalent to the annual consumption of 50,000–60,000 people.
•Korn Chatikavanij warned that the US might sanction or limit GPU exports to Thailand if Thailand is seen as a gateway for China to access restricted chips.
•The government established a committee to oversee Data Center policy in August.
•Korn Chatikavanij urged the policy committee chaired by Ekniti Nitithandpraphas to plan carefully during its first meeting.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Korn Chatikavanij(กรณ์ จาติกวณิช)ℹ️

Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party who raised concerns about Data Center investments.

Ekniti Nitithandpraphas(เอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)

The chairman of the Data Center policy committee.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)

The political party to which Korn Chatikavanij belongs.

BOI

An organization that issued criteria for investments with unclear retroactive application.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where the live interpellation took place.

Rama 9 Road(ถนนพระราม 9)ℹ️

An area mentioned as a site where Data Centers are emerging.

The area where more than half of the proposed Data Center projects are located.

United States(สหรัฐอเมริกา)ℹ️

The country that has expressed suspicion regarding Thailand's role in chip access for China.

China(จีน)ℹ️

The country the US suspects may use Thailand as a shortcut to access high-level chips.