Thai Authorities Crack Down on Alleged Bitcoin Mining Energy Theft

Thai authorities recently uncovered a large-scale energy theft operation tied to Bitcoin mining, leading to the seizure of 996 mining rigs during a raid in the Chon Buri province. The operation targeted JIT Co., a registered digital asset trading firm, amid suspicions of illicit electricity use.

The raid, conducted in the Phanat Nikhom district, was a joint effort between the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). Officials discovered evidence that the company had tampered with power meters to conceal energy-intensive mining activities, avoiding electricity bills estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of baht.

An unnamed employee reportedly admitted to police that the operation used electricity without detection by altering usage patterns—consuming power illicitly at night while allowing the meter to operate normally during the day. Authorities are now seeking court warrants to arrest those behind the scheme.

Bitcoin mining is an essential element of the cryptocurrency’s proof-of-work system, requiring substantial computational power to solve cryptographic puzzles and validate transactions. The rewards of block subsidies and transaction fees incentivize miners but also come with significant energy costs.

This incident highlights growing scrutiny of illegal energy consumption in crypto mining, as authorities worldwide grapple with the environmental and financial implications of the industry.