The Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Telecommunications Technology is expediting its strategy to promote investment in data centres and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen Thailand’s digital economy. The committee has mobilised 71 organisations from the government and private sectors to host a major seminar aimed at exchanging knowledge, identifying challenges, and stimulating the development of domestic data centres. The initiative seeks to reduce reliance on foreign technology, enhance national technological capabilities, and accelerate the development of skilled manpower, with a goal of cultivating one million AI professionals.
To support the sector’s sustainable growth, the committee is also working to improve legislation related to cybersecurity and the digital economy. Emphasis has been placed on encouraging clean energy use in data centres and fostering long-term technological sustainability. Industry leaders and digital experts have highlighted the urgency of this transformation, noting that delays have led to a significant trade deficit. In the three years following the COVID-19 pandemic, Thai businesses and consumers have spent approximately 1.2 trillion baht annually on foreign digital services—an amount nearly equivalent to the country’s annual tourism revenue of 1.1 trillion baht.
On 28 March 2025, the Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Telecommunications Technology, in collaboration with the Subcommittee on Digital Economy and Society, hosted a seminar entitled “Guidelines for Utilising Data Centres and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Develop Thailand’s Digital Economy” at the Parliament Building in Bangkok. The seminar focused on policies and strategic frameworks to drive the sustainable growth of the digital economy.
Seminar Highlights
The event featured a special lecture on “AI and the Transformation of the Medical and Education Systems: Opportunities and Challenges for the Thai Government Sector”, delivered by Professor Dr Suchatvee Suwansawat, Chairman of the Phra Chom Klao Chaoyuhua Hospital Foundation under the Royal Patronage of the Supreme Patriarch (or representative).
Another keynote address was presented by Mr Craig Jones, Cybercrime Expert and Director of CyPo, former Director of Cybercrime at INTERPOL and retired senior official of the UK’s National Crime Agency. His topic, “Thailand’s Challenges in Cybercrime under the New Industry in the AI Era: Adaptation and Readiness to Respond”, explored the nation’s preparedness in the face of rapidly evolving digital threats.
Panel discussions included:
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“Guidelines for Utilising Data Centres and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Develop Thailand’s Digital Economy”
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“Reflections on Driving the Future: Jointly Determining the Direction of Data Centres and AI in the Next Decade”
An open brainstorming session, “Data Centres, AI, and the Future of the Thai Economy”, concluded the day’s activities.
Participants and Opening Remarks
The seminar was attended by 71 organisations, including:
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20 government and security agencies
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9 universities and academic institutions
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31 associations, clubs, and private sector groups
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7 organisations from the tourism, logistics, and service industries
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4 private companies and state enterprises
The event was officially opened by Mr Niwet Pancharoenworakul, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Telecommunications Technology. He delivered an address tracing the evolution of information technology—from the telegraph era to the present day—and emphasised that data centres and AI are the backbone of Thailand’s digital economy. He stressed the need for a structured and systematic development roadmap.
Key Takeaways
Discussions centred on the progression from the agricultural age to the industrial era and now to the digital age. While technology reduces costs and improves efficiency, it also brings cybersecurity challenges. Mr Niwet noted that while Thailand is seeing increased investment in data centres, the country must determine its strategic direction moving forward.
“China has developed underwater data centres. Thailand should explore efficient uses of energy and water resources. AI is now integrated across all sectors of the economy, and we must ensure it is used effectively and safely. In terms of cybersecurity, our legal framework still needs modernisation. Our focus should be on national interest. The Senate committee is committed to advancing digital and cyber legislation. This study will not conclude today—it must be a continuous process to secure Thailand’s future,” he said.
Mr Suwit Khaodee, Senator from Satun Province and Chairman of the Working Group on Data Centre and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Utilisation, emphasised the global significance of these technologies and their critical impact on Thailand’s digital economy. He revealed that the Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Telecommunications Technology has appointed a dedicated working group to study and develop policy recommendations aimed at positioning Thailand as the digital hub of ASEAN and a regional financial centre.
The group’s objectives include shaping clear strategies and policies to encourage investment in data centres, promoting the application of AI to enhance national economic competitiveness, and establishing a balanced framework for the responsible use of AI in both the public and private sectors. Additionally, the initiative sets out to develop guidelines for public protection and data privacy.
Following comprehensive data collection from relevant government bodies and private stakeholders, the working group concluded that a strong infrastructure for data centres and AI is essential to accelerating the digital economy. A clear strategic direction is therefore needed to attract investment across sectors and encourage the tangible application of AI in industry, commerce, and governance.
Four strategic pillars have been proposed:
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Encouraging investment in data centres and AI through tax incentives and government support.
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Developing digital infrastructure to facilitate AI use in both business and government.
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Issuing policies for the responsible development and ethical use of AI, with attention to cybersecurity and data protection.
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Cultivating AI talent to meet the demands of industrial sectors through education and skills development.
These proposals will be submitted to the Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Telecommunications Technology and other relevant agencies to shape a coordinated national strategy. Mr Suwit expressed confidence that these efforts would help Thailand become the regional hub of the digital economy and ensure its long-term competitiveness.
“Currently, no single agency in Thailand is officially responsible for overseeing data centres. This underscores the urgency for the committee to gather insights and propose legislation to the government,” Mr Suwit stated. “Moreover, while exact figures are unavailable, the cost of using foreign data centres is considered significant. Developing domestic data centres is essential to reduce these costs and strengthen national resilience.”
He also stressed the importance of education and workforce development, noting that the goal of producing one million AI professionals is essential for Thailand to remain competitive in the global digital landscape. Key seminar takeaways included reducing reliance on foreign infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity and digital economy legislation, promoting clean energy use in data centres, and ensuring long-term technological sustainability.
Senator Dr Wuttipong Phongsuwan added that open data management must be transparent and capable of facilitating effective data integration across government agencies. He also proposed the development of clean energy infrastructure, such as solar power, to support AI technology and data centres sustainably.
“Open data in the public sector must be systematically integrated and transparent. AI will be integral to the future, and we must prepare by nurturing skilled personnel from the education level upwards, alongside enacting laws to prevent AI misuse,” he said. “Energy and communications infrastructure—especially clean, cost-efficient sources such as solar power—should be prioritised to drive this technological development. International cooperation, including with organisations such as INTERPOL, is also crucial in addressing cybercrime and technology-related threats.”
Lt. Cdr. Dr Wuttipong concluded by underscoring the Senate’s role in raising awareness among agencies and the public regarding digital transformation, technological development, and the legal frameworks needed to support Thailand’s digital future.
Ms Wipawadi Phuengratsamee, Secretary of the Subcommittee on Alternative Energy and Advisor to the Senate Working Group on Data Centre and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Utilisation, reaffirmed Thailand’s policy goal of becoming the regional hub for data centres. She stressed that to meet the needs of international data centre operators, Thailand must focus on developing green data centres, powered by renewable energy.
“Investors are primarily turning to energy from solar farms and natural gas, but these sources bring minimal benefit to the Thai workforce,” said Ms Wipawadi. “As part of our regulatory advocacy, we propose incorporating a proportion of electricity generated from energy crops, which are renewable and align with our agricultural strengths. This would directly benefit Thai farmers by transforming such crops into stable income-generating resources and position Thailand competitively against regional players like Singapore and Malaysia.”
She added that successful realisation of this vision would require multi-sector collaboration, particularly with the Ministry of Energy, to make Thailand a prime destination for data centre investment in line with national policy.
Insights from the Seminar: Strategic Direction for AI and Data Centres
A seminar titled “Guidelines for Using Data Centres and Artificial Intelligence to Develop Thailand’s Digital Economy” featured prominent experts across government and industry who shared their insights on law, policy, infrastructure, and economic opportunity.
Mr Narun Potipattanachai, Director of Legal Analysis and Evaluation of Laws at the Office of the Council of State, outlined current efforts to revise laws governing electronic systems, including data centres and AI. He noted that the dominance of large international data centre developers presents oversight challenges, necessitating timely legal reforms to ensure balance and fairness.
Colonel Sanchai Huvanan, CEO of National Telecom Public Company Limited, discussed the telecommunications sector's role in supporting foreign investment. While Thailand possesses strategic geographical locations and a solid network infrastructure, he acknowledged challenges in energy costs and a shortage of skilled data centre engineers—an area where Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam currently outperform Thailand.
“To become a true digital economy hub, Thailand must address these weaknesses through legal reform and the training of over 100,000 skilled professionals,” said Col. Sanchai.
Mr Rattanapol Wongnapchan, CEO of Siam AI Corporation Co., Ltd., echoed the sentiment, stating that Thailand’s location and resources position it well for data centre development. However, he warned of the rapid pace of technological advancement—servers evolve 10 times faster each month—and stressed the need for AI integration to remain competitive.
Mr Thanason Jaidee, CEO of True Digital Park Co., Ltd., focused on the importance of developing Thai talent. “To host large-scale data centres, we need to cultivate skilled engineers. The government must take the lead in fostering human capital,” he said.
Mr Smith Panomyong, Director of Intouch Holdings Public Company Limited, presented a stark economic reality: Thailand’s digital trade deficit now exceeds 100 billion baht per month, totalling 1.2 trillion baht annually, which mirrors the country's income from international tourism.
“This deficit stems from our reliance on foreign digital services—ERP systems, accounting software like SAP, and digital entertainment platforms such as Netflix and online gaming,” he said. “We used to spend on domestic media like newspapers and television, but now we consume digital content via YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, with advertising revenues flowing overseas.”A
Mr Smith concluded by calling for urgent investment in domestic digital infrastructure, stressing that reducing this digital trade imbalance is critical to Thailand’s long-term economic sustainability.
