BAN CHANG, RAYONG — As Thailand transitions into the AI era and positions itself as a premier regional destination for major digital infrastructure investments, a critical question emerges: How can large-scale data centers peacefully coexist with local communities, utilize power and water resources with maximum efficiency, and generate meaningful value for the host region?
This key question was addressed directly in Ban Chang District, Rayong Province—located within the Eastern Economic Corridor of Technology and Innovation Platform (EECtp). Silicon Tech Park Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Galaxy Data Center, organized “Ban Chang Talks: From Community Concerns to Verifiable Solutions.” The open forum brought together local residents, community leaders, government representatives, and project developers to engage in direct dialogue, successfully translating local anxieties into measurable and auditable operational standards.
The forum was attended by representatives from the Rayong Provincial Energy Office, Provincial Waterworks Authority (Ban Chang Branch), Silicon Tech Park Co., Ltd., and Galaxy Data Center.
Mr. Korravat Sukavat, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs at Galaxy Data Center, revealed that Phases 1 and 2 of the project target hyperscale IT loads, equipped with uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and backup diesel generators to ensure continuous, high-availability operations.
Mr. Korravat emphasized that the project will not dismiss community concerns with generic claims like “it is entirely safe,” nor will it deflect responsibility onto contractors. Instead, the enterprise will rely on transparent data, rigorous engineering standards, continuous monitoring, and a system open to public oversight as its definitive answers.
Resolving Ban Chang’s 6 Hot-Button Issues into Auditable Metrics
- Water Resource Management
The project has contributed over 37 million THB in funding support to the Provincial Waterworks Authority (Ban Chang Branch) to upgrade regional water supply infrastructure and lay dedicated supply pipelines into the site. The operational water supply strategy consists of approximately 35% treated municipal tap water and 65% raw water sourced from private suppliers, backed by a comprehensive dry-season contingency plan. Technically, the facility utilizes Liquid Cooling technology to maximize heat dissipation efficiency and recalculate water recirculation. Real-time water consumption volumes and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) metrics will be publicly disclosed, adhering to the core commitment that data center expansion must never compromise the community’s local water security.
- Backup Power & Fuel Storage Systems
On-site fuel storage tanks intended for backup diesel generators currently remain uncharged with fuel, awaiting official authorization and safety inspections prior to commissioning. The facility has established an emergency response plan, leak prevention systems, odor and vapor suppression controls, and comprehensive fire suppression systems.
- Acoustic Mitigation & Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
Supplementary soundproofing and acoustic absorption barriers have been installed around the backup generator yards. Regarding EMF emissions, the project strictly adheres to national regulatory standards and relies on testing conducted by relevant authorities and independent experts. Measurement results at community boundary points will be fully disclosed, maintaining full compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements overseen by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) alongside pertinent laws.
- Construction Waste Management
Operating under the strict doctrine that “Work can be outsourced, but responsibility cannot,” the project terminated contracts with subcontractors found non-compliant in waste handling. In coordination with the Ban Chang Sub-district Municipality, a formal waste management pipeline—covering collection, sorting, transport, and end-to-end tracking—has been established from source to disposal site.
- Workforce & Labor Standards
Labor management has been elevated to individual-level access control. All subcontractor personnel must undergo formal registration, document verification, health screenings, and mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) compliance. The project actively prioritizes Thai labor recruitment and has committed to long-term talent development initiatives to build technical and high-tech expertise among Thai personnel.
- Telecommunications Network Infrastructure:
The development primarily utilizes Thailand’s existing trunk telecommunications infrastructure, significantly minimizing physical excavation and construction impacts on local roadways and community spaces.
From Public Hearing to a Community-Led Governance Framework
To ensure sustained transparency, the project proposed establishing the Ban Chang Community Advisory Council as a permanent bridge between the development and local stakeholders. The committee structure comprises local residents, educational institutions, religious organizations, vulnerable social groups, and local business representatives, while allocating only a single seat for the project developer. Operating through a structured process—Listen, Verify, Prioritize, Implement, and Report Back—the committee ensures all community concerns are addressed with progress continuously reported back to the public.
Furthermore, Galaxy Data Center is designing the framework for the “Galaxy – Ban Chang Shared Value Fund.” This fund is dedicated to advancing local healthcare, supporting vulnerable populations, elevating local education, stimulating the regional economy, protecting the environment, and enhancing overall quality of life. The project developer explicitly stated that funding is not a trade-off for community consent: financial support does not restrict citizens’ rights to raise questions, file complaints, or audit the facility, and all fund disbursements will be subject to strict public disclosure and auditing.
Setting a New Benchmark for Thailand’s Digital Transformation
The overarching philosophy guiding the EECtp (Eastern Economic Corridor of Technology and Innovation Platform) and Galaxy Data Center is: “Every 1 MW of power and every drop of water consumed must demonstrably return tangible value to Thailand, Rayong, and Ban Chang.” This value encompasses local employment, tech skills development, technology transfer, opportunities for local enterprises, energy and water efficiency, environmental protection, and community well-being.
Looking ahead, Galaxy Data Center plans to progressively scale its deployment of clean and renewable energy sources to build a sustainable Green Data Center. By continuously tracking Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) and making these metrics publicly available, the project establishes a transparent audit framework where community members can verify that commitments are fulfilled in practice—setting a benchmark for sustainable growth between digital infrastructure and local communities.
