Thai authorities raid illegal bitcoin mine after power outages
In a bid to curb the growing menace of illegal bitcoin mining, Thai authorities have raided an illegal bitcoin mine in Ratchaburi town, west of Bangkok. The raid was prompted by complaints from local residents who had been experiencing frequent power outages in the area for over a month.
Bitcoin mining, which requires powerful computers that consume massive amounts of electricity, has been on the rise in Thailand. However, many miners have been operating illegally, evading taxes and stealing electricity to power their operations. In Thailand, bitcoin miners are considered manufacturers and are required to pay associated taxes, but illegal mining has been a persistent problem for years.
On Friday, police and officials from the Provincial Electricity Authorities (PEA) raided a house in Ratchaburi town, where they found bitcoin mining rigs and evidence of illegal mining activities. According to Jamnong Chanwong, a chief district security officer, records showed that the house had been consuming large amounts of electricity, but the occupants had paid for very little of it.
Although the authorities were able to obtain a search warrant and raid the house, they found that most of the equipment had been moved before their arrival. The house had been rented by a company for around four months, and the power outages began in mid-July, when the mine likely became fully operational.
This is the fourth time this year that authorities have raided an illegal bitcoin mine in Ratchaburi province. The crackdown on illegal mining is a welcome move, as it not only helps to reduce the financial losses incurred by the state but also helps to prevent power outages that can disrupt the lives of local residents.
Although no one was arrested during the raid, the authorities are likely to continue their investigation and pursue legal action against those involved in the illegal mining operation. The raid serves as a warning to other illegal miners operating in the region, and it is hoped that it will help to deter others from engaging in similar activities.
