Thai authorities swept through five northeastern provinces on June 21, seizing 315 Bitcoin mining rigs from operators who had allegedly been tampering with electricity meters to slash their power bills. The coordinated crackdown hit 14 locations and exposed an estimated 40 million baht (roughly $1.1M) in electricity theft.
The operation and its scale
The raids spanned five provinces in Thailand’s Isan region: Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Roi Et, and Maha Sarakham. The operation brought together the Ministry of Interior, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), and the Royal Thai Police to execute simultaneous raids across the targeted locations.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswivattana pointed to the abnormal electricity consumption patterns associated with these mining farms as a key concern.
The illegal mining activities have disrupted local electricity supply and stability, Periswivattana said, underscoring the broader infrastructure risks beyond simple financial losses.
