Thailand is on a mission to tackle illegal mining that is causing massive blackouts in the capital Bangkok and nearby areas.
In its latest crackdown on these unregistered businesses, the Kingdom’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) announced that it has shut down a illegal Bitcoin mining farm in the Phanat Nikhom district of Chonburi.
This time, the energy company worked with the Crime Suppression Division to raid the mining facility, which was suspected of manipulation of electricity meter for cryptomining purposes.
According to local reports, PEA and CSD officers confiscated 996 Bitcoin mining machines and similar equipment. A representative of the raid team said that crypto mining works with stolen power worth hundreds of millions of baht.
The people responsible for the dubious cryptominers are unknown, but the CSD is preparing the necessary arrest warrants from the local court.
Image: The Nation
Illegal crypto mining remains a problem for Thai authorities
Crypto mining is a complex technical process that requires advanced computers and associated equipment. Since it requires enormous power and investment in advanced equipment, it is not surprising that many groups engage in illegal crypto mining.
In Thailand, several cryptomining operations have been set up, and many of these have illegally manipulated the country’s electricity supply.
In November 2024, Thai authorities raided and shut down at least nine illegal cryptominers and charged two people with stealing over $280,000 worth of electricity.
In 2022, Bangkok’s Special Investigation Department also conducted raids targeting over 50 illegal crypto mines.
Image: The Nation
Chonburi mine operator illegally tapped local electricity supply
According to local reports, an unidentified employee of the mining company tipped off the authorities about the possible theft of electricity at the facility. Authorities said the facility used the electricity meter correctly daily to avoid suspicion and switched to illegal tapping at night.
Police Major General Montree Theskhan of the Crime Suppression Division said the company was registered for trading in digital assets. But it also operated crypto-mining rigs that illegally used the state’s power supply at night.
The investigations also revealed that solar panels were added to the facility but were not used to power the mining rigs.
Illegal crypto mining has also been reported in other countries
Unregistered Bitcoin mining facilities are also operating in different parts of the world. For example, in its October 2024 report, the Malaysian primary power supplier reported over $100 million in losses due to theft.
These illegal crypto-miners have pushed national governments to tighten regulations and launch campaigns against violators. Some governments have outright banned mining and technology to control its negative effects.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
