Authorities Arrest Illegal Migrant Workers in Raid on Rayong Data Center Site

Twenty-four migrant workers were arrested during a raid on a Chinese-run data center construction site in Rayong, Thailand. The group included 20 Myanmar nationals and four Chinese nationals who were reportedly working without proper permits. Several others fled the site, with some escaping through a nearby canal. Authorities have begun legal proceedings and are investigating three contractors accused of employing illegal workers. More than 400 workers were reportedly living at the construction camp.

Construction of the data center has been underway for several months, with local residents raising concerns about its potential impact. Initial inspections found no issues, including over alleged encroachment on a nearby canal, though an official land survey will confirm the site’s boundaries. The project is being built on a former golf course spanning more than 160,000 square meters in Ban Chang District. The previous owner told authorities he had no involvement in hiring the illegal workers after selling the property.

The project owners have not yet been identified, according to the Bangkok Post. However, the site may be linked to Galaxy DC (GDC), owned by Chinese technology company Hoyinn Technologies. In August 2025, GDC announced plans to invest $2 billion in Thai data centers, including a computing cluster in Rayong. Its Silicon Tech Park site in Ban Chang is adjacent to Emerald Golf Club and near MOO 6, making it a possible match for the construction site raided this week.