Suradech urges Anutin to personally resolve the Data Center issues in central Bangkok, as he has authority over all agencies. He suggests pushing two companies to relocate to the EEC instead and calls on both opposition and government to work together to solve the problem without political confrontation instead of competing to win.
On 8 September 2026, Suradech Yasawat, an independent politician and former senator, former member of the House of Representatives, and former deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, spoke about solutions to the Data Center business problem after some centers were found located in central Bangkok, causing public safety concerns. He explained that this business involves foreign investors through the Board of Investment (BOI), but the current issue is the lack of clear laws specifically governing data centers, with existing laws not fully covering them.
As for solutions, in the short term, legal details must be added requiring companies to specify what type of data they store and on what matters. The state must have mechanisms to control safety and location standards, including strict construction regulations. In the medium term, before approving new companies, there must be thorough screening, not allowing easy entry as before. Existing companies must be controlled by mechanisms involving multiple ministries. The long-term solution is to amend the law.
Suradech added that having data centers located in Bangkok and near communities is dangerous. This business does not need to be in Bangkok. They choose city locations for investor convenience, effectively circumventing laws. For example, a law limits oil storage to 500,000 liters, but some store 420,000 liters to evade the law, despite the volume being similar to having an oil depot in the city. These investors disregard public problems, believing they act legally. Therefore, the government should not tolerate this and must find ways to relocate them. In the long run, this poses widespread risks to people’s lives and property if unexpected incidents occur.
Regarding two companies, one located near a hospital and another within a community, Suradech recommends the government push these companies to relocate elsewhere, as leaving them in place risks public safety and property due to potential electrical short circuits or environmental pollution in local waterways. The government should negotiate or seek cooperation from these companies to move, possibly to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which offers suitable, safe infrastructure and support, or to other industrial estates appropriate for data centers. The original sites could then be repurposed for other businesses like real estate, office rentals, or hotels.
Suradech emphasized that this issue must be resolved by the highest authority, the Prime Minister, who can direct all relevant ministries and agencies. Recently, the Prime Minister appointed Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, as chairman of the National Data Center Policy Committee. Therefore, the Prime Minister must order and urge Ekniti, focusing on protecting lives and property, to find ways to relocate these centers from their current locations to solve the problem. The goal is 100% safety, as the government’s duty is to protect its citizens’ lives and assets.
Therefore, it is unacceptable to risk allowing them to remain; they must be pushed out. Suradech believes they will comply since they have already invested and cannot move elsewhere. He reiterated that this matter requires the Prime Minister’s authority as the lead; delegating it to others will not succeed due to numerous legal loopholes.
“Every means must be used to push these two companies out of Bangkok and into the EEC. It is achievable through open negotiations. If they refuse, other laws should be enforced with strict inspections so they cannot stay. Orders should be given to the Pollution Control Department to conduct frequent checks and for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to monitor construction impacts. Issuing operation licenses is only a procedural step, but actual operations are a separate stage. Assistance to the public is essential; leaving this situation as is is unacceptable. Data centers are fundamentally beneficial businesses attracting investment, but they must be properly located, not in residential communities,” he said.
He added that this business does not create sustainable jobs, only short-term employment during construction. After completion, it requires few staff, only skilled specialists to manage it. Thus, it does not bring significant benefits to the country.
He concluded that he does not want the opposition to excessively oppose or criticize the government on this matter, as it would cause resistance. He urged dialogue and cooperation to solve the problem, noting the country’s economy is currently poor with high public debt and many unemployed. The House of Representatives must work together regardless of party affiliation, as all are on the people's side. He discouraged political confrontation for victory and called on the government to listen to the opposition and for the opposition to offer constructive suggestions to support economic recovery and help the people. Government MPs should approve and support this issue, not oppose it continuously.