Thai authorities are continuing their crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency operations, with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) recently seizing 63 illicit crypto mining machines this past Friday, according to a report by The Nation. These illegal mining rigs, estimated to be worth around 2 million baht (approximately $60,000), were discovered tucked away in three abandoned houses in the Pathum Thani province.

The operation unfolded after local residents raised concerns about suspicious activity – specifically, the theft of electricity from utility poles and transformers in their area. Their suspicions pointed towards cryptocurrency mining taking place in hidden locations within abandoned buildings.

It’s well-known that crypto mining is an energy-intensive business. Authorities are now estimating that these illegal rigs have cost the Metropolitan Electricity Authority a substantial sum – over 11 million baht (over $327 million) in stolen electricity.

The illegal mining rigs were controlled remotely

Adding a layer of intrigue to the case, police revealed that the illegal mining operation was being controlled remotely. Along with the 63 mining machines, authorities also seized a range of equipment indicative of a sophisticated setup: three crypto mining controllers, three routers, three internet signal boosters, three modified electricity meters, a desktop computer, a laptop, and even two bank passbooks. As the operation was managed remotely, no arrests were made at the scene.

However, the investigation didn’t stop there. Authorities uncovered evidence linking the illicit operation back to a luxury residence located in Ram-Indra Soi 65 in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district. CIB officials have now applied for a search warrant to raid this property, hoping to apprehend the ringleaders and any other individuals involved.

Beyond the significant financial losses incurred, authorities also pointed out a critical safety concern: the illegal mining operation presented a major fire hazard. This danger stemmed from the high-power demands of the equipment, combined with the fact that the entire setup was running without any on-site human monitoring.

Thailand has been plagued with illegal mining operations

It’s worth noting that this recent bust is not an isolated incident. Thailand, along with many other nations in Southeast Asia, has been grappling with the issue of illegal crypto mining operations for several years. While Bitcoin miners operating legally in Thailand are treated as manufacturers and are subject to taxation, the lure of bypassing these regulations has fueled a persistent black market.

This recent seizure is just the tip of the iceberg. Earlier this year, in January, authorities in the Phanat Nikhom district confiscated a staggering 996 illegal Bitcoin (BTC) mining rigs. Going further back, November 2024 saw the shutdown of nine illegal Bitcoin mining farms in Surat Thani province, which were accused of stealing electricity worth almost $300,000. And even earlier, in August, another raid took place west of Bangkok following local complaints about power outages, again uncovering further evidence of illicit crypto mining.