Thailand Seizes 63 Illegal Crypto Mining Rigs, $327,000 in Losses

Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) conducted a significant operation on Friday, seizing 63 illegal cryptocurrency mining rigs. The rigs, valued at approximately 2 million baht ($60,000), were discovered in three abandoned houses located in the Pathum Thani province. The operation was initiated following complaints from local residents who reported unauthorized individuals stealing electricity from utility poles and transformers, suspecting that the stolen power was being used for cryptocurrency mining activities hidden within abandoned buildings.

Cryptocurrency mining is an energy-intensive process, and authorities estimate that the illicit mining rigs caused losses exceeding 11 million baht (over $327,000) to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority. The mining rigs were controlled remotely, and along with the rigs, officials confiscated three crypto mining controllers, three routers, three internet signal boosters, three modified electricity meters, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, and two bank passbooks. No arrests were made as the operations were being controlled remotely.

Evidence found during the raid suggested that the illicit operation had ties to a luxury house in Ram-Indra Soi 65 in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district. CIB officials have requested a search warrant to raid the linked residence and locate the ringleader and other accomplices. Authorities noted that besides causing financial damages to the electricity department, the illegal mining rigs also posed a major fire hazard due to the high power usage and lack of human monitoring.

Illegal cryptocurrency mining has been a persistent issue in Thailand and Southeast Asia. In January, authorities seized 996 illegal Bitcoin mining rigs from the Phanat Nikhom district. In November 2024, nine illegal Bitcoin mining farms were shut down in the Surat Thani province, estimated to have stolen electricity worth nearly $300,000. Additionally, in August, authorities raided a town west of Bangkok and found evidence of illegal crypto mining after locals complained about power outages.

Bitcoin miners in Thailand are treated as manufacturers and are subject to associated taxes. However, the prevalence of illegal crypto mining operations continues to be a challenge for authorities. The recent seizure of 63 illegal mining rigs highlights the ongoing efforts to combat this issue and the significant financial and safety risks associated with such activities.