Thailand is on a mission to tackle illegal mining operations that are causing massive power outages in its capital, Bangkok, and surrounding areas.
In its latest campaign against these unregistered operations, the Kingdom’s Electricity Authority (PEA) announced that it had closed the station Illegal bitcoin mining farm (Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi).
This time, the energy company worked with the Crime Suppression Division to raid the suspected mining facility Tampering with electricity Meter for crypto mining purposes.
According to local reports, officers of PEA and CSD 996 Bitcoin mining machines confiscated and similar equipment. A representative of the raiding team said the cryptocurrency mining operations were powered by stolen power worth hundreds of millions of baht.
The people responsible for the questionable cryptocurrency mining operations are unknown, but the CSD is preparing the necessary arrest warrants from the local court.
Image: The Nation
Illegal cryptocurrency mining remains a problem for Thai authorities
Crypto mining It is a complex technical process that requires sophisticated computers and related equipment. Since it requires massive power and a huge investment in advanced equipment, it is not surprising that many groups run illegal cryptocurrency mining operations.
In Thailand, several cryptocurrency mining operations have been established, many of which are illegally tampering with the country’s electricity supply.
Last November 2024, Thai authorities raided and shut down at least nine illegal cryptocurrency mining operations and charged two people with stealing over $280,000 worth of electricity.
In 2022, Bangkok’s Department of Special Investigations also carried out raids targeting more than 50 illegal cryptocurrency mining operations.
Image: The Nation
Chonburi mine operator illegally exploits local electricity supply
According to local reports, an unidentified employee of the mining company informed authorities about possible theft of electricity at the facility. Authorities said the facility uses its electricity meter properly daily to avoid suspicions and turn to illegal eavesdropping at night.
Police Major-General Montre Theiskhan, of the Anti-Crime Division, said the company was registered to trade digital assets. However, it has also operated cryptocurrency mining rigs that illegally use the state’s power supply at night.
Investigations also revealed that solar panels were added to the complex but were not used to operate the mining rigs.
Illegal cryptocurrency mining operations have 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, Malaysia’s major energy provider reported losses of more than $100 million due to theft.
These illegal mining activities have prompted national governments to tighten regulations and launch campaigns against violators. Some governments have banned mining and technology completely to control its negative effects.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
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