On September 17, the "Borderless Computing Power, Global Intelligence - Overseas Expansion Ecosystem Cooperation Salon for Computing Power Service Enterprises" was held at the conference room on the seventh floor of Building 1, Changfu Jinmao, Shenzhen. The event was hosted by the Futian District Science, Technology and Industry Information Bureau and the BRICS Future Network Research Institute (China Shenzhen), with Starry Law Firm Thailand participating as a co-organizer. Discussions focused on the international expansion needs of computing power service enterprises, including opportunities in the Thai market, market access for data center and computing power businesses, project implementation, and localized operations. Attorney Zheng Junsheng, Founding Partner of Starry Law Firm Thailand, was invited to attend and share policy insights and roundtable perspectives.

At the opening, Chen Hui, President of the BRICS Future Network Research Institute (China Shenzhen), delivered remarks. He noted that as artificial intelligence, large language models, and cloud computing continue to advance rapidly, computing power has become critical infrastructure for the digital economy. In addition to technological capabilities, enterprises expanding overseas need coordinated support from industry resources, financial services, and professional institutions. The salon was designed as a platform to help enterprises understand overseas markets, connect with resources, and identify risks.

This was followed by presentations from Shi Xuezhen, AI Industry Director of Tencent's Yunnan Business Division, and Zhou Qinxia, Solutions Director at Alibaba Cloud, on enterprise computing power expansion overseas and AI solutions. Xiao Lei, Chief Economist of Kasikornbank (China) Company Limited, also shared an analysis of Thailand's economic environment and the development of the computing power sector. From the perspectives of technology, industry, finance, and professional services, the speakers offered reference points for enterprises entering Thailand and developing a global footprint.

I. From Industry Trends to Implementation Pathways: Exploring New Opportunities for Computing Power Expansion Overseas

During the policy briefing, Attorney Zheng Junsheng spoke on "Market Access Pathways for Data Center and Computing Power Leasing Businesses in Thailand." Drawing on Thai law and project experience, he outlined the key matters enterprises should assess when entering the Thai market.

Attorney Zheng emphasized that "computing power expansion overseas" is not a single business concept. Different enterprises conduct different activities and therefore face different market-entry requirements. When establishing operations in Thailand, computing power enterprises should first identify the substance of their business: whether they will build or operate data centers; provide computing power or GPU leasing, cloud services, and data hosting; or provide AI and software services. The applicable corporate structure, foreign investment access requirements, BOI investment-promotion application, sector-specific licenses, land and construction arrangements, tax, and employment arrangements may differ accordingly. No single model can cover every project. Enterprises should assess, in light of their actual operations, whether their activities fall within restricted businesses under Thailand's Foreign Business Act and evaluate the availability of a Foreign Business License, investment promotion, or other applicable pathways based on the project circumstances.

Attorney Zheng also highlighted that Thailand's approach to data center projects is no longer limited to encouraging capital inflows. It increasingly examines whether a project is compatible with local electricity and water resources, environmental carrying capacity, and talent-development needs. Enterprises should not determine project feasibility merely from a "data center" or "AI project" label; at an early stage, they should conduct a comprehensive assessment of resource conditions, business substance, and project contribution. In 2026, Thailand's BOI further strengthened its review focus for data center projects. It continues to examine power security, energy-use efficiency, water-resource management, and environmental impact, while also placing greater emphasis on whether projects create skilled employment, develop Thai talent, transfer technology, support local supply-chain collaboration, and contribute to the digital ecosystem.

II. Compliance Is Not a Postscript: It Is Part of Project Implementation

In the roundtable discussion, Attorney Zheng stated that when computing power leasing, model training, and inference businesses enter Thailand, enterprises should first ensure that the location of server deployment, data storage, and cross-border data transfers comply with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and other relevant requirements. More importantly, enterprises should not directly replicate an already mature domestic business model overseas. Technology can be replicated, but the business model must be localized. Before entering Thailand or other overseas markets, enterprises should first understand local legal rules, regulatory approaches of competent authorities, and the practical operating environment, rather than substituting domestic experience for an understanding of the local market. Beyond compliance, they should also prioritize local partnerships, communication mechanisms, and resource coordination to lay a solid foundation for long-term project operations.

The event provided an efficient communication platform for computing power service enterprises, financial institutions, and professional service providers. Going forward, Starry Law Firm Thailand will continue to monitor developments in Thailand's digital economy, data centers, AI, and cross-border data compliance, and provide Chinese enterprises with professional, practical, and implementable legal support as they enter Thailand and ASEAN markets.