Thailand is positioning itself within the global new economy, driven by Q2 data showing private investment surging 13% YoY (highest in 11 years) and exports up 12.5%, largely in electronics and high-tech sectors. However, the article critically examines unintended consequences—particularly data center expansion (42 projects worth 750B baht over 3 years), which consumes massive power and water but creates few jobs, raising public concern. The government faces a balancing act: scaling modern industries while managing environmental and social spillovers that a 'clean economy' was supposed to avoid.