Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) has implemented stricter screening criteria for data center projects under new government regulations, introducing a 4-dimension assessment framework covering national benefits (job creation, local supply chain, AI ecosystem), energy readiness (higher electricity rates for data centers, bank guarantees), water resource management, and environmental/zoning controls. Between 2567-2569, 42 data center projects worth ฿750 billion were approved (15 Thai-owned, 27 foreign), with 3,400 MW processing capacity. The shift prioritizes balancing investment attraction with energy security and environmental protection—moving away from either blanket denial or unconditional approval.