Bangkok intensifies data centre inspections pending new guidelines

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Deputy Governors Wisanu Subsompon and Pornphrom Vikitsreth held a press briefing at the Chao Phraya Room of Bangkok City Hall in Sao Chingcha on Monday (September 14, 2026), providing an update on inspections of data centres across Bangkok.

Chadchart said an initial survey had identified 43 data centres located within office buildings, banks, government agencies and other general-purpose premises.

Most were small facilities using no more than 2 megawatts of electricity and had already been operating for some time.

A separate category comprised six standalone facilities, three already operating and three under construction.

The BMA has now suspended consideration of permit applications.

Among the 43 centres, 31 used small generators and were therefore not required to apply for fuel-storage permits.

The remaining 12 stored more than 15,000 litres of fuel and had duly applied to the Department of Energy Business for the required permits.

Data centres in Bangkok are not hyperscale facilities using as much as 200–300 megawatts of electricity, such as those in other provinces.

Electricity consumption by Bangkok’s data centres currently accounts for less than 3% of the city’s peak electricity demand, while their tap-water consumption remains lower than that of a large department store.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has primary regulatory responsibilities through issuing permits for building construction or alteration, urban planning laws and public-health functions.

It works with relevant agencies, including the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), Department of Energy Business, Department of Industrial Works and Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), to ensure comprehensive oversight.

The BMA has also drawn up a stringent five-part inspection checklist for continuing random site inspections:

• Building standards: Each facility must hold certification under international standards.
• Resource use: Fuel storage and the use of water and electricity must comply with requirements set by the Department of Energy Business, MEA and MWA.
• Effects on residents and the environment: Inspections cover water and air pollution, health risks, heat effects and noise pollution.
• Fire prevention: Firefighting systems must be inspected to ensure that they meet required standards.
• Preparedness and fire evacuation drills: Facilities must arrange fire evacuation exercises.

The detailed checklist covers all areas intended to protect nearby residents.

Wastewater quality is sampled once a month, PM2.5 and PM10 levels are monitored in real time, and water vapour from cooling towers is tested for Legionella bacteria twice a year.

Temperature and humidity are also measured at source locations and in surrounding communities within a 500-metre radius.

The checklist stipulates that the temperature differential recorded over a 24-hour period must not exceed 2 degrees Celsius.

For approvals of new projects, the BMA has temporarily suspended consideration of permit applications while awaiting clear definitions and operating guidelines from the Data Centre Operations Policy Committee.

These are expected to be clarified within two weeks.

Relevant district offices have inspected all data centre locations and found no conditions causing a public nuisance.

However, the BMA remains ready to receive complaints from residents through Traffy Fondue around the clock.

“The BMA has not been complacent. We are doing everything we can within the legal powers available to us. If residents encounter problems or are affected, they can report them immediately. The BMA is ready to step in, assist residents and resolve problems while awaiting further details of the operating criteria,” Chadchart said.