Thai Authorities Seizes 1,000 Bitcoin Mining Machines Linked to Electricity Theft

Authorities in Thailand have yet again shut down a Bitcoin mining operation linked to an electricity theft. According to a local media outlet, 996 Bitcoin mining machines and related devices were seized during the operation in the Phanat Nikhom district of Chonburi.

Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) coordinated the crackdown.

Authorities stated that the miners illegally used the district’s electricity to power their mining operations. They mined free of charge.

Over $2.89M Unpaid Electricity

PEA estimated that the unidentified miners stole electricity worth hundreds of millions in baht. However, they are yet to reveal the exact amount stolen. A 100 million baht is worth around $2.89 million as of Thursday, January 9, 2025.

According to an unidentified operation member, while the miners used their power meters correctly during the day, they stole electricity at night to avoid suspicion.

The members of the operation are yet to be identified. CSD said it will seek an arrest warrant.

Bitcoin mining is an energy-intensive activity involving the releases of new Bitcoin and transaction verification.

Electricity Theft 

There have been several instances of electricity theft in Thailand in recent months. CoinTab reported in August that authorities raided an illegal mining operation in a province in central Thailand after weeks of frequent power outages. The authorities found that the mining operation’s electricity expenses are far lower than the power consumed during their mining process.

Similarly, Thai authorities seized around 650 mining machines and other devices linked to illegal mining connections. The authorities estimated 5 million baht ($144,619) in unpaid power usage.

This is not just in Thailand; mining-related electricity theft is becoming common in other Southeast Asian countries. Authorities in Malaysia destroyed nearly 1,000 Bitcoin mining devices connected to power theft in August. Unpaid electricity was estimated at 1.98 million Malaysian ringgits ($439,805).