Thailand is on a mission to crack down on illegal mining activities that are causing major power outages in its capital, Bangkok, and neighboring areas.
In its latest campaign to combat these unregistered activities, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) announced that it has shut down an illegal Bitcoin mining farm in Phanat Nikhom, District of Chonburi.
During this time, the power company worked with the Crime Suppression Division to raid a mining site, which was suspected of tampering with electricity meters for crypto-mining purposes.
According to local reports, PEA and CSD officials seized 996 Bitcoin mining machines and similar equipment. A representative of the attack team said that crypto mining operations run on stolen power worth hundreds of millions of baht.
The people responsible for the dubious crypto-mining activities are unknown, but the CSD is preparing the necessary arrest warrants from the local court.
Image: The Nation
Illegal Crypto mining is still a problem for Thai authorities
Crypto mining is a complex technical process that requires high-end computers and related equipment. Because it requires a lot of energy and investment in advanced equipment, it is not surprising that many groups run illegal crypto-mining activities.
In Thailand, several crypto-mining operations have been established, and many of them have been illegally disrupting the country’s electricity supply.
Last November 2024, Thai authorities raided and shut down at least nine crypto mining operations and charged two people with stealing more than $280k worth of electricity.
In 2022, Bangkok’s Special Investigation Department also carried out raids targeting more than 50 illegal crypto-mining operations.
Image: The Nation
Chonburi Mining Operator Illegally Installed on Local Electricity Supply
According to local reports, an unidentified employee of the mining company reported to the authorities about the possible theft of electricity from the facility. Authorities said the facility uses the electricity meter properly every day to avoid suspicion and switch to illegal pumping at night.
Major General Montree Theskhan of the Crime Suppression Division said the company was registered to trade in digital assets. However, it has also used crypto mining rigs that illegally use the power of the state at night.
The investigation also revealed that solar panels were installed in the compound but were not used to power the mining equipment.
Crypto Mining Operations Reported in Other Countries as well
Unregistered Bitcoin mining centers are also operating in various parts of the world. For example, in its October 2024 report, a major Malaysian energy provider reported more than $100 million in losses due to theft.
These illegal crypto mining activities have pressured national governments to tighten laws and launch campaigns against violators. Some governments have banned mining and technology outright to control its negative effects.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView