Two Thai conglomerates are expanding into data center infrastructure, building on their respective strengths in industrial land, utilities, electricity generation and telecommunications. (Photo: GULF)
Two of Thailand’s largest conglomerates are expanding into data center infrastructure by combining the assets they already have, from industrial land and utilities to electricity generation and telecommunications, as they compete for a share of one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital markets.
WHA Group is conducting a feasibility study for a dedicated data center industrial park in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Chief Executive Officer Pajongwit Pongsivapai has said the planned development could require around 1,000 MW of green electricity.
Gulf Development, Thailand’s largest energy company by market value, already operates GSA Data Center 01 in Samut Prakan through a joint venture. The facility is the first in Thailand to deploy liquid cooling for artificial intelligence chips. Gulf also has two additional projects under development and is targeting 2,000 MW of total service capacity within three to five years.
The two companies are pursuing structurally different strategies. WHA is positioning its industrial estates as ready-made locations where operators can access land, utilities and power infrastructure, while Gulf is building on its electricity generation and telecommunications holdings to develop and supply data center capacity.
These strategies can reduce some of the practical barriers to data center investment, but can they fully resolve the market’s most important constraint: access to reliable and scalable power, or even renewable electricity?
Unlock the full article to explore three key takeaways:
WHA and Gulf are taking different routes into data centers, but both rely on power market reform.
Integrated sites can ease land and permitting hurdles, but not Thailand’s green power shortage.
Grid access still outweighs renewable sourcing, although hyperscaler demand is raising the pressure.
