Why Thailand hit pause on data centres

A data centre with diesel tanks next to a hospital. That, I was told, is why Thailand hit pause. It was one of several things I learned last week.

It was a whirlwind week in which I had the chance to meet and speak with scores of experts. Here are four things I took away from those conversations.

The pace has changed

After years of staying almost the same, the conservative data centre industry is experiencing a rapid wave of changes, and it shows no signs of easing off.

For instance, new prefabricated methods are being pioneered that allow data centres to be built far faster than previously thought possible. And to cope with ever larger facilities, new AI-powered systems are being rolled out to better operate and manage modern data centres.

Seawater, rethought

At a private gathering where seawater cooling for data centres came up, I learned that it is possible to achieve superior outcomes simply by thinking out of the box.

For example, chilled water from a colocation data centre could potentially be piped to an AI data centre that doesn't require it to be quite as cold.

And even in tropical locations like Singapore, where seawater cooling might not save as much energy once the pumps are factored in, it could help eliminate the use of precious water by doing away with cooling towers and chillers altogether.

Good players, bad players

Not all data centre operators are going by the book. I was told that the abrupt Thailand "pause" was in large part caused by the public furore over the actions of a data centre operator in Bangkok.

What did it do? To support its massive capacity, the operator built large fuel storage tanks, which were subsequently topped up. All without approval.

The problem? The facility was registered as a warehouse and located within a residential area. In fact, it was built right next to a hospital. Everything unravelled when residents complained of lingering diesel fumes.

Big money, big interests

Finally, I learned the backstory behind some other data centre developments in the neighbourhood. The long and short of it? Big money in data centres often drives vested interests.

I wasn't surprised. If anything, it confirmed what I already suspected. My recommendation? Always look beyond the news headline, think deeper, and speak with those in the know.