About 200,000 litres of fuel stockpiled without permission have been removed from a data centre on Rama IX Road in Bangkok, with authorities saying they will pursue charges under Fuel Control Act.
The development comes ahead of the first meeting of the Data Centre Policy Committee, a new body set up to oversee the fast-growing sector, to be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.
Discussions at the meeting on Friday are expected to focus on how to consolidate regulations and close loopholes to promote responsible development and limit environmental and social impacts.
On Wednesday, officials from the Ministry of Energy inspected Damac Digital BKK02, a five-storey facility near the intersection of Rama IX and Srinakarin roads in the Suan Luang area, after nearby residents and business operators raised complaints about the strong fuel smell.
Reports said the odour had been present for more than two months and was particularly strong after heavy rainfall, causing some people to experience dizziness and vomiting.
Inspectors found that the facility had stockpiled diesel fuel for use in emergency power generators, with storage tanks having a combined capacity of more than 200,000 litres, said Thitipat Chotidechachainan, secretary to the energy minister.
The centre had not obtained the required licence under the Fuel Control Act and was ordered to remove the fuel from the site, Ms Thitipat said.
All of the fuel had already been pumped out of the tanks, government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek confirmed on Thursday. The Department of Energy Business would file a formal complaint and pursue legal action, she said.
If violations are confirmed, penalties may include imprisonment for up to two years and/or a fine of up to 200,000 baht.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said at a briefing on Wednesday that no more licences would be issued for new data centres in the capital, responding to growing concerns about potential negative impacts associated with the facilities.
Ms Thitipat added that the ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had a clear policy not to permit fuel storage facilities to supply emergency generators for data centres in urban residential communities.
At Friday’s meeting of the data centre committee, Ms Thitipat said the ministry would propose developing zoning guidelines and reviewing building, environmental and safety control measures for data centres.
Agencies expected to work on the review include the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the BMA, electricity authorities and water utilities.
More inspections of locations that have been the subject of complaints or are suspected of illegally storing fuel would be conducted, she added.