In a significant crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency activities, Thai authorities have raided an illegal Bitcoin mining operation in the town of Ratchaburi, located just west of Bangkok. The raid, conducted by the Provincial Electricity Authorities in collaboration with local police, was initiated after reports of frequent blackouts in the area over the past month.
According to reports from AFP, the unregistered Bitcoin mining rigs were consuming large amounts of electricity without proper payment or reporting. This unauthorized operation began around mid-July, which coincided with the start of the frequent power outages that had been affecting local residents.
Jamnong Chanwong, a chief district security officer, stated that the illegal mining activity posed significant risks to the local electrical infrastructure. The massive energy consumption by the unregistered mining equipment could lead to long-term damage to the power grid, as well as increased costs for the community. Despite the high energy usage, the operation paid only minimal fees, raising suspicions that eventually led to the raid.
When authorities arrived at the scene, much of the mining equipment had already been moved, and no arrests were made. This incident highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in tackling illegal Bitcoin mining, which is not only costly in terms of electricity but also requires adherence to local fees and taxes.
This raid comes on the heels of other incidents involving cryptocurrency mining in Thailand. Earlier this month, an Airbnb host discovered that her guests had been using her property to mine cryptocurrencies, resulting in an electricity bill of $1,500.
