Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has launched operation “Thanya Volt,” raiding 25 locations in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani, uncovering an illegal Bitcoin mining network. Authorities seized over 600 mining machines after the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) reported extensive power theft. Officials estimate electricity losses, with cumulative damages reaching 738 million baht since 2022.

 

The raids, carried out on 19 September 2025, were led by Pol Lt Col Khemachart Prakaikhongmanee, Director of Technology and Information Case Division, alongside senior PEA officials and local authorities. Investigators searched rented houses and commercial buildings used for digital currency mining. The operation followed complaints from the PEA, which identified widespread electricity theft linked to unauthorised cryptocurrency mining operations.

 

The DSI investigation revealed that suspects rented more than 25 properties to house mining equipment, disguising activities in residential areas. The organisation operated systematically, with groups responsible for importing mining machines and others managing algorithm solving to extract Bitcoin. Pol Lt Col Khemachart noted Bitcoin’s sharp rise in value to 3.7 million baht per coin, compared to just 600,000–700,000 baht during the COVID-19 period, creating financial incentives for illegal mining.

 

Officials emphasised the risks associated with such operations, including fire hazards and structural dangers from building modifications. Measures such as concealed ventilation systems were installed to manage high heat output. Authorities warned of environmental impacts and potential violations of local laws. The case also raised questions about possible involvement of state officials, which will be investigated further.

 

The seized machines, designed specifically for Bitcoin mining, will be examined in cooperation with the Customs Department to verify their import status. Each unit carries a serial number, allowing checks for possible illegal importation. The DSI stated that the state is the primary victim, given the significant power theft losses.

 

Aram Singngern, Assistant Governor of PEA Region 1 (Central), explained that operators often tamper with electricity meters or bypass them entirely, masking actual consumption. Although bills appeared normal, in the range of thousands of baht, actual usage was far higher. He noted a trend towards smaller-scale, decentralised setups, which reduce costs and are harder to detect, compared with larger centralised mining facilities requiring heavy investment.

 

Authorities confirmed they will study the operational model of such illegal mining farms to prevent future electricity theft. Legal proceedings will be pursued under the Special Investigation Act of 2004. Evidence collected, including tampered meters, will be assessed to determine applicable charges. The DSI reaffirmed its commitment to pursue all responsible parties, including any officials found complicit.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• DSI seized over 600 Bitcoin mining machines in 25 raids across Pathum Thani.

• Electricity theft linked to the operation caused losses exceeding 738 million baht since 2022.

• Authorities are investigating possible illegal imports of equipment and state official involvement.

 

Related Stories

 

Russian-journalist-kidnapped-and-ransomed-in-Pattaya-ordeal

 

Police-raid-illegal-bitcoin-mining-operations-in-Bangkok-and-Pathum-Thani

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-09-20

 

 

 

 

 

Is bitcoin mining illegal or just the theft of power?

17 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

Is bitcoin mining illegal or just the theft of power?

I believe it was the theft of power though I believe bitcoin should also be illegal.

2 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I believe it was the theft of power though I believe bitcoin should also be illegal.

What's wrong with bitcoin?

25 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I believe bitcoin should also be illegal

Why? 

4 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Why? 

It produces nothing you can physically hold in your hands, like a farmer producing a carrot, yet consumes enormous amounts of energy. It's essentially a video game that people who like gambling place a made up value to.

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

It produces nothing you can physically hold in your hands, like a farmer producing a carrot, yet consumes enormous amounts of energy. It's essentially a video game that people who like gambling place a made up value to.

I'm not a gambler, I have never gambled.

I go to casino's with my friends at times, I always just chat with my friend playing the pokies etc.

 

I had some spare cash back in 2015, so I bought quite a few Bitcoins, I have let them sit, watching the price jump up and plummet at times but they have grown in value since purchasing.

 

I have no interest in holding them in my hands 

3 hours ago, Mike_Hunt said:

What's wrong with bitcoin?

 

It's a 💯0% psyop on the masses.

 

Always put your money into companies that actually make stuff or do things.

 

Gold also a psyop.

Off topic post removed @angryguy this is Thai news, not for you US political aganda

7 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

 

It's a 💯0% psyop on the masses.

 

Always put your money into companies that actually make stuff or do things.

 

Gold also a psyop.

Its all just assets that are all going to infinity because the fed has a money printing addiction

31 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I'm not a gambler, I have never gambled.

I go to casino's with my friends at times, I always just chat with my friend playing the pokies etc.

 

I had some spare cash back in 2015, so I bought quite a few Bitcoins, I have let them sit, watching the price jump up and plummet at times but they have grown in value since purchasing.

 

I have no interest in holding them in my hands 

You are still gambling that they will increase in value (all imaginary) while they suck up energy that is becoming a global issue.

39 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I'm not a gambler, I have never gambled.

I go to casino's with my friends at times, I always just chat with my friend playing the pokies etc.

 

I had some spare cash back in 2015, so I bought quite a few Bitcoins, I have let them sit, watching the price jump up and plummet at times but they have grown in value since purchasing.

 

I have no interest in holding them in my hands 

You are not a gambler....but you bought bitcoin? Did you ever rebalance any superannuation that you may have had?

Did you ever fill the tank because you thought fuel would go up? Ever got married?

You likely gamble in 90% of your decision making.🙃🙃

14 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

You are still gambling that they will increase in value (all imaginary) while they suck up energy that is becoming a global issue.

The real global issue is inflation. Would be funny if one day before you passed you would have no choice but to buy bitcoin. Its already a reality for many

Crypto is not regulated like stocks or insured like real money in banks. Crypto’s high risks can offer big rewards or huge losses.

 

https://disb.dc.gov/page/you-invest-crypto-know-risks#:~:text=Crypto is not regulated like,Often Targeted by Crypto Scammers%3F

 

Sorry, @SAFETY FIRST, this is the very definition of gambling. I don't care one way or the other about the gambling issue, it's the obtuse and unnecessary energy consumption that makes people like these thieves need to steal the electricity.

26 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

You are not a gambler....but you bought bitcoin? Did you ever rebalance any superannuation that you may have had?

Did you ever fill the tank because you thought fuel would go up? Ever got married?

You likely gamble in 90% of your decision making.🙃🙃

No, I'm not at an age to obtain my superannuation. 

 

Like I said earlier I had some spare cash. 

 

13 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Crypto is not regulated like stocks or insured like real money in banks. Crypto’s high risks can offer big rewards or huge losses.

 

https://disb.dc.gov/page/you-invest-crypto-know-risks#:~:text=Crypto is not regulated like,Often Targeted by Crypto Scammers%3F

 

Sorry, @SAFETY FIRST, this is the very definition of gambling. I don't care one way or the other about the gambling issue, it's the obtuse and unnecessary energy consumption that makes people like these thieves need to steal the electricity.

So my shares in the stock market is also gambling? 

 

1 minute ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

So my shares in the stock market is also gambling? 

 

Yes. Some old guy is trying to educate you about something hes done no research on

3 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

No, I'm not at an age to obtain my superannuation. 

 

Like I said earlier I had some spare cash. 

 

So, you have never rebalanced your superannuation balance. You are effectively gambling by letting someone else gamble with your superannuation balance. Ever considered  a SMSF (Self Managed Superannuation Fund?)🙃🙃

2 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

So, you have never rebalanced your superannuation balance. You are effectively gambling by letting someone else gamble with your superannuation balance. Ever considered  a SMSF (Self Managed Superannuation Fund?)🙃🙃

Cbus is doing a good job, HUGE growth. 

 

I'd probably screw it up if I managed it myself. 

 

7 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

So my shares in the stock market is also gambling? 

 

Yes. How many people do we know that lost a large part of their retirement accounts because of current market fluctuations? I do NOT want to bring ANY politics into this topic, I'm merely stating black and white facts. People have lost money on stocks. A rose by any other name is still gambling.

3 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Cbus is doing a good job, HUGE growth. 

 

I'd probably screw it up if I managed it myself. 

 

Cool. It can be easy to screw up & I worked in Super for 27 years, mostly finance & policy. Oz Govts luv to tinker with it. C-Bus good stuff.🙃🙃

36 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

So my shares in the stock market is also gambling? 

 

Correct.🙃🙃

49 minutes ago, angryguy said:

Yes. Some old guy is trying to educate you about something hes done no research on

Who is this "old guy"? How do I avoid him?🙃🙃

49 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Who is this "old guy"? How do I avoid him?🙃🙃

It's called the "ignore" function. Some members just BEG for this option.

On 9/19/2025 at 7:04 PM, angryguy said:

Its all just assets that are all going to infinity because the fed has a money printing addiction

 

Well, no . . . there will be the inevitable psyop crash of the markets, like in '87.... 2000 .... 2008 ..... 2020.....

 

They will 6uild 6ack 6etter  😂

 

In the interim, stocks/bonds pay dividends for owning them.

 

Sh!tcoin and geld do not

5 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

 

Well, no . . . there will be the inevitable psyop crash of the markets, like in '87.... 2000 .... 2008 ..... 2020.....

 

They will 6uild 6ack 6etter  😂

 

In the interim, stocks/bonds pay dividends for owning them.

 

Sh!tcoin and geld do not

You live by psyops but youre not seeing the endgame of inflation yet. Holding dollar denominated stocks wont help dividends or not. You want to own real assets

On 9/20/2025 at 5:24 AM, HappyExpat57 said:

It produces nothing you can physically hold in your hands, like a farmer producing a carrot, yet consumes enormous amounts of energy. It's essentially a video game that people who like gambling place a made up value to.

With that line of thought why not ban Christmas lights while you are at it?
 

Intangibility isn't a flaw: Value isn't tied to physical form. Stocks, intellectual property, software, and fiat currencies (like the US dollar) are also intangible yet hold immense value based on utility, scarcity, and consensus. Bitcoin's digital nature enables borderless, censorship-resistant transactions—something a carrot can't do.

 

Energy use has purpose: Yes, mining consumes energy (comparable to entire countries like Argentina), but it's essential for proof-of-work consensus, which secures the network against attacks and maintains decentralization without trusted intermediaries. This contrasts with energy-intensive traditional finance (e.g., data centers, ATMs, printing presses) or gold mining, which also "produce" intangible value through extraction.

 

Not just gaming and gambling: While speculative trading exists, Bitcoin's value stems from real-world utility as a store of value (often called "digital gold"), inflation hedge, and payment system for remittances or in unstable economies. Its fixed supply (21 million cap) and blockchain tech provide verifiable scarcity, unlike "made-up" video game assets controlled by centralized companies.

 

On 9/21/2025 at 10:01 PM, angryguy said:

You want to own real assets

 

The only so called real asset worth holding is real estate, preferably in the US or Commonwealth or W.Europe.

 

If not physical real estate then real estate investment trusts are the next best. I own shares in a REIT. All the benefits of landlordism without the hassle of dealing with deadbeat tenants.

 

Physical gold can be stolen but beyond that, it's a volatile asset in terms of market sentiment.

 

Then there's always baseball cards and beanie babies....

On 9/20/2025 at 9:06 AM, HappyExpat57 said:

I'm merely stating black and white facts. People have lost money on stocks.

You omitted the very important fact that people have made lots of money on stocks, also.