Thailand suspends construction of 49 data centres amid safety, environmental concerns

Thailand is suspending the construction of 49 data centres due to the risk they pose to communities. The AI boom is driving extraordinary demand for the centres, but the energy-hungry facilities are popping up in Bangkok's residential neighbourhoods, sparking safety and environmental concerns. Some data centres are classified as warehouses or offices rather than industrial facilities, so they evade much stricter safety, environmental and zoning laws. Investments in data centres in Thailand have already exceeded US$20 billion. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.