Thailand Halts 49 Data Centers Amid Power and Community Concerns

Thailand has suspended construction of 49 data centers, pausing a major push into the digital economy as public worries grow over the strain these facilities place on power supplies and local communities. The government ordered the halt to allow officials time to draft new industry regulations, which are expected within a month, according to Danucha Pichayanan, secretary general of the National Economic and Social Development Council. He spoke at a press briefing on Friday, following the first meeting of a committee tasked with reviewing the projects. The suspension marks a significant slowdown for the country’s data center boom. Server farms are known for their high electricity consumption, and the rapid approval of dozens of new projects had raised concerns among residents about grid reliability and environmental impact. Under the new rules, officials will likely assess each project’s energy use and community effects more strictly before allowing construction to resume. For now, all 49 sites remain on hold, leaving investors and developers waiting for clearer guidance.