Thai authorities have seized 63 illegal cryptocurrency mining rigs that stole electricity worth over $327,000 in the Pathum Thani province, just north of Bangkok.
The operation, led by Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), uncovered the mining equipment hidden in three abandoned houses.
The raid was triggered after local residents reported suspicious activity and frequent power outages caused by individuals illegally tapping into utility poles and transformers to power the mining machines.
Crypto mining is known for its high electricity consumption. According to officials, the illegal operation caused losses of over 11 million baht ($327,000) to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority.
Along with the mining rigs, authorities also confiscated three controllers, routers, internet boosters, modified electricity meters, a desktop computer, a laptop, and two bank passbooks. However, no arrests were made as the mining operation was being controlled remotely.
Investigators discovered evidence linking the illegal activity to a luxury residence in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district. A search warrant has been requested to raid the property and track down those responsible.
Authorities warned that, aside from financial losses, these illegal mining operations pose a serious fire hazard due to the high electricity usage and lack of monitoring.
Thailand has been battling illegal crypto mining for years. Under Thai law, crypto miners are treated as manufacturers and are subject to taxation.
However, many mining operators bypass these regulations by stealing electricity and setting up rigs in hidden locations.
In January 2025, Thai police seized nearly 1,000 illegal Bitcoin mining rigs in the Phanat Nikhom district. Similarly, in November 2024, authorities shut down nine illegal mining farms in Surat Thani, which had stolen nearly $300,000 worth of electricity.
In another case last August, police raided a town west of Bangkok after locals complained about repeated power cuts, only to find evidence of illegal crypto mining operations.
Thai officials are now intensifying efforts to crack down on these illegal activities as the country becomes a hotspot for underground crypto mining.
