Pictures courtesy of Matichon

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has searched the homes of a senior Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) official accused of abusing his position to facilitate illegal Bitcoin mining operations linked to Chinese criminal networks, uncovering assets worth more than 15.7 million baht. The case has led to the seizure of thousands of mining machines and the suspension of several electricity officials, with estimated state losses running into billions of baht.

The operation was announced at 4.00pm on 26 January 2026 at the DSI headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok. Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Ruttaphon Naowarat, DSI Director-General Pol Maj Gen Yutthana Praedam, senior DSI officers and PEA Governor Mongkol Treekijjanon jointly detailed the findings of a multi-agency crackdown on illegal digital currency mining.

Authorities said the investigation stemmed from “Operation Copperhead”, launched on 3 December 2025 to dismantle networks stealing electricity to mine digital currencies. The probe was expanded on 19 January 2026 under “Operation Clean House”, when officers seized 3,642 illegal cryptocurrency mining machines and gathered evidence linking financiers, Chinese grey capital groups and state officials.

According to Pol Maj Gen Yutthana, four PEA-linked individuals were implicated: a PEA assistant governor, a regional deputy manager, a technical officer and a retired service officer who left in 2025. Three of the suspects still hold senior managerial and operational posts and are accused of abusing their authority to arrange warehouses, provide transformers, manage power loads and facilitate electricity access for illegal mining sites.

Investigators allege the officials received monthly payments ranging from hundreds of thousands of baht to around 400,000 baht. Evidence seized includes mobile phones, laptops, CCTV recorders and bank books, which investigators say reveal structured cooperation and financial links extending back to 2024.

Pol Capt Khemchat Prakaihongmanee said DSI officers searched three residences belonging to the assistant governor-level official on 25 January 2026 in Nakhon Pathom and Chonburi. Cash and bank deposits totalling 15,770,000 baht were found, along with 10 bank books, with income levels deemed inconsistent with declared assets and potentially constituting unusual wealth.

The DSI said all suspects will face legal action without exception, regardless of rank, and case files will be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The PEA confirmed that implicated officials have been suspended pending disciplinary investigations, while joint inspections continue nationwide.

Key Takeaways

• DSI seized 3,642 illegal Bitcoin mining machines during nationwide raids linked to electricity theft.

• Four PEA-associated individuals, including a senior executive, are accused of facilitating the operations.

• Assets worth more than 15.7 million baht were seized, with investigations ongoing since 2024.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-01-27

 

 

Greedy somchais. Not sharing the loot with other government agencies has consequences. You’ll get busted!