The Thailand Data Center Council (TDCC) has announced the appointment of Mr. Thosaphol Pengsom as its inaugural Chairman, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s quest to become the leading data center hub in Southeast Asia within the next three years.
Backed by favorable policies and its strategic geographical position, Thailand has been attracting substantial investments, with Statista forecasting a notable increase in the country’s data center market revenue from USD 2.06 billion in 2023 to USD 2.83 billion within five years.
The TDCC is committed to fostering the long-term development of Thailand’s digital economy by upholding world-class standards, nurturing professional skills, and promoting ethical business operations through collaboration with both public and private sectors.
Furthermore, the establishment of the TDCC underscores its dedication to working hand in hand with the government, cloud service providers, and content platforms to reform policies and create an environment conducive to inspiring confidence among international investors.
Mr. Thosaphol Pengsom, the newly appointed Chairman, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held key positions such as Former Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Ministers (Ministry of Digital Economy and Society), Former Vice President of the Ministry of Energy, and Former Chairman of the National Big Data Institute: NBDi. Mr. Pengsom emphasizes the critical importance of accelerating the expansion of data center capacity for major cloud service providers already operating in Thailand.
The strategic focus areas of the TDCC include policy refinement, sustainability, workforce development, and advocacy. In terms of policy refinement, the council aims to promote confidence in the data center industry by streamlining regulations and licenses, collaborating closely with the government to provide robust support for existing and incoming cloud providers and data center operators. Moreover, sustainability is a key priority, with the TDCC collaborating with the energy sector to align renewable energy requirements with the industry’s growth trajectory.
Workforce development is another crucial aspect, with the TDCC committed to incubating and training personnel at all levels, expanding data center education curriculum, and developing comprehensive training and internship plans in coordination with relevant government agencies. Finally, the council will act as a mediator, addressing issues and challenges by engaging relevant agencies, fostering confidence among foreign investors, and ultimately benefiting both the country and its people.
Established in January 2024 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between five founding members, the TDCC aims to elevate the data center sector and position it as a critical industry for Thailand’s digital infrastructure, thus contributing significantly to the nation’s overall economic growth and development.