AI In-brief 15 Sept 09:38

BMA halts building of new data centres, enforces strict safety checks

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has paused all new data centre licence approvals, awaiting clear national guidelines to address growing public concerns.
Existing data centres are now subject to a rigorous five-point inspection checklist, covering international building standards, resource usage, environmental and public health impacts, fire safety, and emergency drills.
New operational controls mandate monthly wastewater testing, real-time air quality monitoring, and twice-yearly Legionella checks, alongside strict limits on local temperature variations to mitigate environmental effects.
This proactive measure follows a city-wide survey and aims to ensure responsible development, even as current data centre power and water consumption remain low compared to Bangkok's overall demand.

AI In-brief Today 10:52

Increased presence of elephants near communities causes concern

Wild elephants are increasingly encroaching on human settlements and tourist areas across several Thai provinces, raising significant safety concerns.
Driven by hunger, elephants are venturing out of forests to forage for food, with notable incidents reported in Trat and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Park rangers and officials are deploying to manage these encounters, including monitoring potentially aggressive elephants and guiding others back to their habitats.
Authorities advise the public to maintain distance from wild elephants, avoid feeding them, and refrain from any actions that might provoke the animals.