Emily Walker
Thailand is taking strong measures to combat illegal mining that is leading to severe power outages in Bangkok and its surrounding regions.
In a recent crackdown, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has closed down an unregistered Bitcoin mining facility located in Chonburi’s Phanat Nikhom district.
The energy authority collaborated with the Crime Suppression Division to conduct a raid at the site, which was alleged to have manipulated its electricity meter for mining activities.
Reports indicate that officials from the PEA and CSD seized 996 Bitcoin mining units along with related gear. A member of the raiding team mentioned that these mining operations had been using stolen electricity valued at hundreds of millions of baht.
The identities of those behind the illegal mining activities remain unknown, but the CSD is in the process of obtaining arrest warrants from local judicial authorities.
Ongoing Challenges with Illegal Crypto Mining in Thailand
Cryptocurrency mining involves intricate processes that need powerful computers and substantial resources. Given these demands, it’s no surprise that several groups resort to illicit mining operations.
Thailand has witnessed numerous unauthorized crypto-mining businesses that have been unlawfully manipulating the electrical grid.
In November 2024, Thai law enforcement shut down at least nine illicit mining operations, leading to charges against two individuals for stealing electricity worth more than $280,000.
Additionally, in 2022, the Bangkok Department of Special Investigation targeted over 50 illegal crypto-mining setups through coordinated raids.
Chonburi Mining Operation’s Unlawful Electricity Use
According to reports, a whistleblower from within the mining firm alerted officials about potential electricity theft. Authorities discovered that while the facility recorded its electricity usage correctly during the day, it switched to illegal tapping at night to avoid detection.
Police Maj. Gen. Montree Theskhan from the Crime Suppression Division informed that the mining company was officially registered for digital asset operations but simultaneously engaged in illicit crypto mining activities using state power after dark.
Investigations also found that solar panels were installed on site, yet they weren’t utilized to power the mining operations.
Illegal Crypto Mining Activities Not Limited to Thailand
Other countries also face issues with unauthorized Bitcoin mining. For instance, a report from Malaysia’s primary power provider in October 2024 indicated losses exceeding $100 million due to electricity theft.
Such unlawful crypto mining has prompted governments worldwide to reinforce regulations and initiate campaigns targeting offenders. Some nations have even imposed outright bans on mining technologies to mitigate their adverse impacts.
Image courtesy of Pexels, chart sourced from TradingView