Thailand’s police and electricity authorities announced the shutdown of an illegal bitcoin mining operation in central Thailand after a series of unexplained power outages plagued a local community for several weeks. The raid, conducted on Sunday, took place in Ratchaburi province, west of Bangkok, according to a report from AFP.
The operation involved officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and local police, who targeted a house suspected of running the illicit mining operation. Jamnong Chanwong, the chief district security officer, revealed that the power disruptions began in mid-July, likely coinciding with the mine reaching full operational capacity. Authorities noted that the mining operation consumed massive amounts of electricity while paying minimal fees, leading to suspicions of foul play. However, no arrests were made at the site.
Southeast Asia has become a hotspot for bitcoin miners seeking affordable electricity, skilled labor, and reliable infrastructure, particularly since China banned all crypto mining operations in 2021. The region’s growing crypto mining activity has led to increased scrutiny by authorities, particularly in cases of electricity theft.
Last week, Malaysian authorities took decisive action against illegal mining operations, destroying 985 bitcoin mining machines valued at around $452,500. In a separate incident earlier this month, Sepang district police arrested seven individuals accused of running bitcoin mining operations using stolen electricity.
The recent bust in Thailand highlights the ongoing challenge of curbing illegal crypto mining activities in Southeast Asia as demand for cheap energy continues to rise among bitcoin miners.
