Article · AI translation
IT Home reported on November 10, citing Bloomberg, that Thailand has introduced new rules on noise, heat and water use at data centers as an artificial intelligence investment boom drives a rapid expansion in data center construction, setting clear environmental limits for the fast-growing industry.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of Thailand's economic planning agency, said Tuesday that the cabinet had approved the rules. Under the new rules, noise from data centers' uninterruptible power supply systems must be kept to about 70 decibels (A-weighted decibels, dBA) or less while they are operating. This weighted measure more closely reflects how loud sounds are perceived by the human ear.
In addition, the temperature increase at the boundary of a data center site will be limited to 1 to 2 degrees Celsius. Cooling water must be recycled, and discharged wastewater must also be tested. He added that data center facilities in industrial estates will face additional requirements.
The rules are part of Thailand's response to the artificial intelligence investment boom. As investment in computing infrastructure surges, Thailand hopes to reap economic growth benefits while preventing data center construction from placing an excessive burden on local water resources and electricity supplies, and keeping operations from affecting nearby communities.
Thailand's Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, “We will enforce the highest standards.” He stressed that any project unable to meet safety and environmental requirements “will not be allowed to proceed.”
According to Thailand's Board of Investment, the country received more than US$50 billion in investment promotion applications in the first nine months of this year (IT Home note: equivalent to approximately 334.329 billion yuan at the current exchange rate), with artificial intelligence-related projects accounting for about 70% of the total value of applications.