Summary:
Thai authorities raided an illegal bitcoin mine after frequent blackouts reported by residents.
Bitcoin mining rigs were discovered, indicating unauthorized use of electricity.
Electricity consumption was significant, but payments were very low.
Illegal bitcoin mining has been on the rise in Thailand for years.
This is the fourth raid on illegal mining operations in Ratchaburi province this year.
Thai Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Bitcoin Mining
Thai authorities have conducted a raid on an illegal bitcoin mine located west of Bangkok following numerous complaints from residents about frequent blackouts in the area for over a month. Local police, together with officials from the Provincial Electricity Authorities (PEA), executed the raid on a house in Ratchaburi town last Friday.
According to Jamnong Chanwong, a chief district security officer, the officers discovered bitcoin mining rigs within the premises, indicating that the house was being used for mining activities while consuming electricity without proper payment. Records revealed that the electricity consumption was significant, yet the payments made were minimal.
Mining cryptocurrencies like bitcoin requires high-powered computers that demand substantial amounts of electricity. In Thailand, bitcoin miners are classified as manufacturers and are subject to relevant taxes; however, the incidence of illegal mining has been escalating over the years.
Jamnong noted that his team had attempted to enter the house on Thursday, but were denied access by a guard. They returned later with a search warrant, only to find that most of the mining equipment had already been relocated. The house had reportedly been rented by a company for about four months, with power outages commencing around mid-July, suggesting that the mining operation had likely started around that time.
Despite the raid, no arrests were made. This incident marks the fourth raid on illegal bitcoin mining operations in Ratchaburi province this year.
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