The Thai government has introduced regulations to limit noise and water usage by data centers, aiming to address public concerns linked to rapid expansion driven by artificial intelligence developments.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved new regulations setting limits on noise levels and water use for data centers across the country. This move responds to public concerns arising from a surge in AI-related data center construction. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas emphasized that national resources must be protected and not negatively impact the public.
Key standards include limiting noise at the boundaries of data center sites to 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA), roughly the noise level of a vacuum cleaner. Additionally, temperature increases in surrounding areas must not exceed one to two degrees Celsius. Water used for cooling must be recirculated and tested for environmental compliance before discharge.
The government has also proposed zoning adjustments, requiring data centers with energy consumption above 20 megawatts to operate in industrial zones under stricter oversight. Currently, Thailand has approved 57 data center projects nationwide, with 17 operational, 20 permitted for construction, and 20 planning investment. Authorities have flagged a high volume of speculative electricity applications, with over 110 requests totaling more than 30,000 megawatts, though only a fraction represent genuine investment.
Projects approved before August 14 are given one year to align with these new environmental guidelines. The new policies aim to balance technological growth with sustainable resource management and environmental protection.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/world/1009205/thailand-sets-noise-water-use-limits-for-data-centers/story/
