A planned large data centre in Soi Ramkhamhaeng 28, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, is reported to have 429,000 litres of diesel reserved for backup generators, prompting public calls for disclosure of its permits and safety systems.

Bangkok MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt of the People's Party and Nitipoomthanat Mingrujirala, known as Tutor Moo, have separately raised concerns about the project. The reported diesel volume is equivalent to that held by three or four large petrol stations, according to Suphanat.

The claims concern a facility in a densely populated part of the capital, where nearby residents - including foreign tenants and homeowners - would want to know what emergency procedures, fire protection and environmental safeguards apply. No response from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has made.

Questions over planning and fuel rules

Suphanat said data centres have been built across Bangkok and other provinces without clear regulation because Thai building-control and town-planning laws do not define what category a data centre falls into.

He said developers may classify them as warehouses, offices or commercial buildings. Since 2024, he said he has raised the matter with the House committee on economic development and called on the Department of Public Works to define data centres, while urging the BMA to regulate them through its revised city plan.

However, he said there had been no progress after two years. He also criticised the BMA's draft new city plan, saying it would still allow private developers to build data centres without adequate controls.

Suphanat said the Ramkhamhaeng facility's 429,000 litres of diesel falls below the 500,000-litre threshold under the Fuel Oil Control Act, and therefore does not meet the stated criterion. He also said an Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA, was not required because relevant EIA listings cover petroleum development and petroleum transport.

Calls for documents and safety details

Nitipoomthanat said he wanted the project and relevant agencies to disclose the diesel type, authorised volume, storage location and safety measures. He said diesel has a higher flash point than petrol and is not easily ignited, but warned that a major fire involving such a quantity could produce intense heat, heavy smoke and combustion pollutants.

He also raised the risk of leaks affecting soil, drainage and the surrounding environment. He said storage of a less-flammable fuel between 15,000 and 500,000 litres may fall under a type-three storage category requiring permission, and asked whether approval had been granted.

His further questions covered the licence category, the agencies responsible for approval and inspection, the latest inspection date, tank and pipe leak prevention, firefighting systems, emergency plans and any assessment of local impacts.

He also questioned whether the Bhumjaithai-led government under Anutin Charnvirakul required an EIA before authorising a project of this scale. Nitipoomthanat cited potential 24-hour noise from cooling equipment, fans, pumps, transformers and generators.

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31 August 2026

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Sounds like a lot but there are road tankers driving around with the same volume. Only 10,000 US gallons.

Edited 52 minutes ago52 min by VocalNeal