Korn Warns of Data Center Impacts on Public Resources

Matichon•Politics•7d ago

Reader Briefing

Korn Chatikavanij of the Democrat Party raised seven concerns regarding the government's management of data center investments in Thailand.

•Korn Chatikavanij presented seven primary concerns regarding data center investments at the Parliament on September 3.
•Concerns include impacts on electricity, water resources, pollution, and national sovereignty.
•The US government has reportedly identified Thailand as a potential shortcut for China to access high-level chips.
•Pasin Pitutecha expressed concern over water usage in the Eastern region where 70% of data centers are expected to be located.

•Korn Chatikavanij spoke at the Parliament on September 3.
•Korn Chatikavanij stated that the government's data center policy reflects management that is not up-to-date and risks damaging Thailand and its people.
•Korn Chatikavanij warned that using reserve electricity for data centers may increase LNG imports and affect electricity costs for citizens.
•Korn Chatikavanij questioned the lack of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for data centers, which may lead to uncontrolled pollution.
•Korn Chatikavanij highlighted a risk where the US may restrict high-level CPU or chip imports if Thailand is viewed as a conduit for China.
•A data center committee chaired by Ekniti is scheduled to hold its first meeting on September 4.
•Pasin Pitutecha warned that data center water consumption could compete with the needs of citizens and farmers in the Eastern region.
•Pasin Pitutecha called for the implementation of zoning measures for data center construction.

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Korn Chatikavanij

"The cow is standing in the middle of the field and hasn't run away yet; if we build the fence now, it is not too late."

วัวมันออกมายืนกลางสนามมันยังไม่หนีไปไหน หากล้อมคอกมันตอนนี้ก็ยังไม่ช้าเกินไป

Korn Chatikavanij(กรณ์ จาติกวนิช)ℹ️

List MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party.

Ekniti(เอกนิติ)

Chairman of the data center committee.

Pasin Pitutecha(พศิน ปิตุเตชะ)

Rayong MP from the Democrat Party.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)

A political party that raised concerns about data center investments.

BOI(บีโอไอ)

An agency that provides tax privileges and issued criteria in August.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The body to which the data center committee submits proposals for consideration.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where Korn Chatikavanij expressed his concerns on September 3.

Eastern Region(ภาคตะวันออก)

The area where approximately 70% of data centers are expected to be located.

United States of America(สหรัฐอเมริกา)ℹ️

The country that identified Thailand as a potential shortcut for China to access high-level chips.

China(จีน)ℹ️

The country the US seeks to block from accessing high-level chips.

Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️

A country cited as having clear measures to manage chip access issues.

EEC(อีอีซี)ℹ️

A previous development project in the Eastern region mentioned by Pasin Pitutecha.