Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has seized 63 illegal cryptocurrency mining machines in a raid on three abandoned houses in Pathum Thani province. According to a report by The Nation, the mining rigs—valued at approximately 2 million baht ($60,000)—were found operating without authorization, stealing electricity directly from the region’s utility poles and transformers.
The investigation was launched after locals reported unexplained power fluctuations and suspected illegal electricity siphoning. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority estimates that the illegal mining operation caused financial losses of over 11 million baht ($327,000).
A Remote-Controlled Mining Operation
Authorities discovered that the crypto mining rigs were being controlled remotely, making arrests difficult. Alongside the 63 mining rigs, officials confiscated:
- Three crypto mining controllers
- Three routers and three internet signal boosters
- Three modified electricity meters
- A desktop computer and a laptop
- Two bank passbooks
Despite the lack of on-site operators, forensic analysis traced the operation to a luxury house in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district. The CIB has since requested a search warrant to investigate the suspected ringleaders further.
Fire Hazards and Electricity Fraud
Authorities have raised concerns that illicit crypto mining operations pose serious safety risks, as they consume high amounts of power without proper monitoring. This significantly increases the likelihood of electrical fires—a major hazard in unsupervised setups.
The scale of illegal crypto mining in Thailand and Southeast Asia has been escalating, with multiple large-scale busts recorded in recent months.
A Growing Problem: Thailand’s Battle with Illegal Crypto Mining
Thailand has seen a surge in illegal Bitcoin mining operations, primarily due to cheap electricity and high crypto market demand. However, the government has tightened enforcement, cracking down on unauthorized mining farms that evade energy costs and taxation.
- January 2025: Thai authorities seized 996 illegal Bitcoin mining rigs in the Phanat Nikhom district.
- November 2024: Nine illegal Bitcoin mining farms in Surat Thani province were shut down, with losses estimated at $300,000.
- August 2024: A town west of Bangkok reported frequent power outages, leading to the discovery of unlicensed crypto mining activities.
Next Steps: Ongoing Crackdown on Mining Fraud
With investigations now linked to a luxury residence in Bangkok, authorities are intensifying their efforts to track down the masterminds behind these illegal mining operations. The CIB and Metropolitan Electricity Authority continue to monitor power anomalies to prevent further financial and infrastructural damage caused by unauthorized crypto mining activities.
As the crackdown intensifies, Thailand’s government remains firm: illegal crypto miners will face severe consequences, and authorities will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of electricity fraudsters.