Thailand busts bitcoin mine after repeated power outages: report

Thailand’s police and electricity authorities announced on Sunday that they raided an illegal bitcoin mine in a local town following frequent reports of power outages from the nearby area in the past several weeks.

AFP reported that officials from the Provincial Electricity Authorities, along with local police, raided a house in Ratchaburi, a province in central Thailand to the west of Bangkok.

Jamnong Chanwong, a chief district security officer, reportedly explained that the power outages began around the middle of July, likely when the mine became fully operational. Thai authorities said the mining operator paid very little in fees compared to the large amount of power consumption. The authorities, however, did not arrest anyone at the mine.

Southeast Asian countries have emerged as popular destinations for bitcoin miners, attracted by low-cost electricity, skilled labor, and established infrastructure, especially after China banned all crypto mining operations in 2021. 

Last week, Malaysian authorities reportedly destroyed 985 bitcoin mining machines worth about 1.98 million Malaysian ringgits ($452,500), as the country continues its crackdown on power thefts linked to bitcoin mining activities. The Sepang district police in Malaysia also arrested seven individuals earlier this month for allegedly conducting bitcoin mining operations with stolen electricity.