In a significant crackdown, Thai authorities raided an illegal bitcoin mine west of Bangkok following complaints from residents about frequent blackouts in the area for over a month. The raid, conducted by police and officials from the Provincial Electricity Authorities (PEA), took place in Ratchaburi town on Friday.
Authorities found bitcoin mining rigs in the house, indicating that it was being used to operate a mine. The miners were using electricity without fully paying for it, as evidenced by the large consumption records and minimal payments.
Jamnong Chanwong, a chief district security officer, mentioned that his team initially tried to enter the house on Thursday but were denied entry by a guard. They returned with a search warrant on Friday, only to find that most of the equipment had been moved.
The house had been rented by a company for around four months, with power outages beginning in mid-July when the mine likely became fully operational. The excessive power consumption by the mining rigs caused frequent blackouts, disrupting the daily lives of residents.
Despite the raid, no arrests were made. This incident marks the fourth time this year that authorities have raided an illegal bitcoin mine in Ratchaburi province.
Mining virtual currencies like bitcoin requires powerful computers that consume vast amounts of electricity. This has led to illegal mining operations that bypass paying for the full cost of electricity.
Bitcoin miners are considered manufacturers in Thailand and must pay associated taxes. However, illegal mining has been on the rise, posing challenges for authorities.
This raid highlights the ongoing issue of illegal bitcoin mining in Thailand and its impact on local communities. Authorities continue to monitor and take action against such operations to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent disruptions to public services.
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