The Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) convened the 1st EEC Sectoral Deep Dive Forum 2026 under the Digital Theme — a high-level dialogue bringing together government agencies and leading private-sector enterprises to chart the strategic direction of Thailand’s digital industry, with particular emphasis on data center investment within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Mr. Chula Sukmanop, Ph.D., Secretary General of EECO, delivered the keynote address, presenting the strategic vision to position the EEC as the region’s premier hub for green data centers. The vision is anchored by an ambitious Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) target of 1.3 or below — significantly below the global average — together with the active promotion of clean energy, advanced cooling technologies, and closed-loop water management systems. These initiatives are complemented by a comprehensive package of investment incentives, One-Stop Service for licensing and permits, and Private Power Purchase Agreements (Private PPAs).
The forum was structured into three sessions, featuring distinguished speakers from leading domestic and international organizations, including Mr. Bryan Yue (Google), Mr. Theerapun Charoensak (True Internet Data Center), Mr. Bruce Lim (DayOne Data Center), Mr. Thanapak Koetphoka (Provincial Electricity Authority), Mr. Sumetee Charoenwongmit (Provincial Waterworks Authority), and Mr. Terence Koh (UOB).
Panelists underscored Thailand’s distinct competitive advantages — strategic geographic location, robust subsea cable connectivity, competitive energy pricing, and policy stability — while engaging in substantive dialogue on the sector’s pressing challenges. Key topics included the projected long-term electricity demand of approximately 10,000 MW, set against the currently planned supply capacity of 3,800 MW; the imperative for forward-looking water resource planning; the development of specialized talent; and the necessary adaptation of the financial sector to support capital-intensive digital infrastructure investments.
Going forward, EECO will continue working closely with all stakeholders to establish dedicated zoning for data center development, advance integrated infrastructure planning across power, water, fiber, and submarine cable networks, and promote Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks — collectively reinforcing Thailand’s position as a leading destination for digital investment in ASEAN.
