According to a national report, officials from Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) seized 63 illegal crypto mining machines on Friday. An illegal crypto mining rig worth around 2 million baht ($60,000) was found in three abandoned homes in Pathum Thani.
Authorities launched the attack after locals complained about unidentified individuals stealing electricity from local utility poles and transformers. Locals suspected that stolen electricity was being used for cryptocurrency mining operations hidden in abandoned buildings.
Crypto mining requires a large amount of electricity. Authorities estimate that the illegal mining rig caused more than 11 million baht (over $327 million) to Metropolitan Electric Power Authority.
Illegal mining rigs were controlled remotely
Police said they confiscated three crypto mining controllers, three routers, three internet signal boosters, three modifying electric meters, desktop computers, laptop computers and two bank aisles along with the mining rig. No arrests were made as mining operations were being managed remotely.
However, officials have found evidence that the illegal operation is linked to the gorgeous home of Ram Indra Soi 65 in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district. CIB officials raided the linked residence and requested a search warrant to locate the ring leader and other accomplices.
Authorities noted that in addition to causing damage to the power sector, illegal mining rigs also pose a major fire hazard. This is because the operation utilized a large amount of power, but there was no human monitoring.
Thailand is troubled by illegal mining operations
Bitcoin miners are treated as Thai manufacturers and are subject to related taxes. However, illegal code mining has been a ramp-extensive issue in Thailand and Southeast Asia for many years.
In the January attack, authorities seized 996 illegal Bitcoin (BTC) mining rigs from Thailand’s Fanat Nicom district.
In November 2024, authorities closed nine illegal Bitcoin mining farms in Surat Thani. The farm was estimated to have stolen nearly $300,000 of electricity.
Similarly, in August, authorities stormed a town west of Bangkok, finding evidence of illegal code mining after locals complained about the blackout.
