Suphanat Urges Government to Regulate Data Centers

Khaosod•Politics•18d ago

Reader Briefing

Energy Minister Akanat Promphan announced a crackdown and new regulations for Data Centers following concerns raised by MP Suphanat Meenchainan.

•MP Suphanat Meenchainan questioned the government regarding illegal Data Center setups and safety concerns over fuel storage.
•Energy Minister Akanat Promphan revealed a Data Center in the Rama 9 area was found storing over 100,000 liters of fuel without a permit.
•A Prime Minister's Office regulation was issued on August 5, 2026, establishing a Data Center Committee chaired by Ekniti Nitithanprapas.
•New requirements will mandate that future Data Centers undergo Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and comply with city planning laws.

•MP Suphanat Meenchainan raised concerns in the House of Representatives on September 3, 2026, regarding Data Centers bypassing EIA and city planning laws.
•Suphanat Meenchainan warned that some Data Centers are falsely registered as warehouses to evade regulations and hide information from the public.
•Akanat Promphan stated that legal action has been taken against a Data Center in the Rama 9 area for unauthorized fuel storage exceeding 100,000 liters.
•A Data Center Committee was established on August 5, 2026, under a Prime Minister's Office regulation to organize Data Centers nationwide.
•Akanat Promphan announced a temporary suspension of new Data Center permit applications until regulations are finalized.
•Akanat Promphan stated that the regulatory process is expected to be completed within a few months.
•Akanat Promphan declared that Data Center electricity users will be categorized separately and charged higher rates than general citizens.

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Akanat Promphan

"If they want to use public electricity, they must pay more than ordinary citizens."

ถ้าจะใช้ไฟหลวงต้องจ่ายแพงกว่าชาวบ้าน

Suphanat Meenchainan(ศุภณัฐ มีนชัยนันท์)

A Bangkok MP from the People's Party who questioned the government on Data Center regulations.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

Akanat Promphan(เอกนัฏ พร้อมพันธุ์)ℹ️

The Minister of Energy who clarified the government's actions on Data Centers.

Lertsak Pattanachaikul(เลิศศักด์ พัฒนชัยกุล)

The 2nd Deputy Speaker of the House acting as the meeting chairman.

Ekniti Nitithanprapas(เอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)ℹ️

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance who chairs the Data Center Committee.

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

The political party of MP Suphanat Meenchainan.

Data Center Committee(คณะกรรมการ Data Center)

A committee established to organize Data Centers nationwide for economic and environmental benefit.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where the House of Representatives meeting took place.

Bangkok(กทม.)ℹ️

The city where the Data Center regulatory issues and inspections are occurring.

Rama 9(พระราม9)ℹ️

The area where a Data Center was found storing fuel without a permit.

Prime Minister's Office Regulation(ระเบียบสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี)

The regulation issued on August 5, 2026, to establish the Data Center Committee.