YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) raided three abandoned houses in Pathum Thani province and seized 63 illegal crypto mining rigs after locals reported stolen electricity.
The Nation reported that authorities valued the seized rigs at 2 million baht ($60,000).
After receiving reports of electricity theft from utility poles and transformers, authorities launched the raid. Investigators calculated the stolen power at 11 million baht (over $327,000).
Officials discovered that operators controlled the mining rigs remotely, leaving no one present at the sites.
Illegal Crypto Mining Rigs Were Operated Remotely
Police confiscated various items during the raid, including three crypto mining controllers, three routers, three internet signal boosters, three modified electricity meters, a desktop computer, a laptop, and two bank passbooks.
Investigators found evidence linking the operation to a luxury house in Ram-Indra Soi 65, Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok. Officials are now requesting a search warrant to inspect the property and track those involved.
Authorities warned that illegal crypto mining poses fire risks due to excessive power usage in unsupervised locations. The abandoned houses had no monitoring systems in place.
Illegal Crypto Mining Operations Are Increasing in Thailand
Illegal crypto mining continues to grow in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Subsequently, law enforcement has conducted multiple raids over the past year.
In January 2025, authorities confiscated 996 illegal Bitcoin (BTC) mining rigs from the Phanat Nikhom district.
In November 2024, police shut down nine unauthorized Bitcoin mining farms in Surat Thani province. These operations had also stolen electricity worth nearly $300,000.
Additionally, Thailand considers Bitcoin miners as manufacturers, requiring them to follow tax and regulatory laws. However, many operators set up unauthorized mining farms to avoid costs. Authorities continue to investigate and shut down illegal mining setups across the country.