An illegal Bitcoin mining farm in Thailand has been exposed and shut down for manipulating electricity meters to use power for free, causing losses worth hundreds of millions of baht to the state provider.
Details of the Operation
According to local media, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Thailand, in collaboration with the Crime Suppression Division, raided a mining farm in the Phanat Nikhom district of Chonburi. They seized 996 Bitcoin mining rigs. The operators had tampered with their electric meters to run mining operations at minimal cost, leading to substantial electricity losses for the state.
Electricity Issues in Thailand
Illegal electricity use for Bitcoin mining is not a new issue in Thailand. In August 2024, a similar operation was cracked down in the town of Ratchaburi, where unregistered miners were draining power from the local grid, leading to frequent blackouts and increased costs for residents. In Surat Thani, two individuals were charged with stealing over $280,000 worth of electricity.
Global Impact and Examples
Such incidents are occurring globally. In October 2024, Malaysia's national electricity provider reported losses upwards of $100 million due to electricity theft for mining hardware. These cases have led to tighter regulations, energy use restrictions, tariff hikes, and even mining bans by various governments.
Illegal Bitcoin mining incidents remain an acute problem in Thailand and beyond. Authorities across the globe are tightening regulations to curb illegal resource use and preserve the integrity of energy infrastructure.
