Thailand’s Crackdown on Illicit Digital Mining: $327,000 in Stolen Power Uncovered in Pathum Thani Raid

Introduction: A Surge in Power Theft Sparks Investigation

On Friday, March 28, 2025, Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) executed a high-stakes operation in Pathum Thani province, seizing 63 unauthorized digital mining machines. These devices, valued at approximately 2 million baht ($60,000 USD), were discovered in three abandoned residences following complaints from local residents. The community had grown suspicious of shadowy figures tapping into utility poles and transformers, siphoning electricity for what turned out to be a sophisticated, hidden operation. According to The Nation, a Thai news outlet, this raid marks yet another chapter in the country’s ongoing battle against illegal power-intensive activities. For residents, the flickering lights and rising utility costs were the first clues; for authorities, it was a call to action against a growing underground economy.

This wasn’t a small-scale endeavor. The operation’s scale — 63 machines running 24/7 — hints at a calculated effort to exploit Thailand’s electrical grid. With each machine drawing an estimated 2.5 to 3.5 kilowatts per hour, depending on model efficiency, the collective power consumption could easily exceed 189 kilowatts per hour during peak operation. Over months, this translates into a staggering theft of resources, underscoring why locals noticed the strain on their grid.

The Raid: Uncovering a High-Tech Heist

The CIB’s raid revealed a meticulously organized setup. Inside the abandoned houses, officers confiscated not just the 63 mining rigs but a suite of supporting equipment: three mining controllers, three routers, three internet signal boosters, three tampered electricity meters, a desktop computer, a laptop, and two bank passbooks. These items paint a picture of a remotely managed enterprise designed for efficiency and anonymity. The tampered meters, for instance, were rewired to bypass standard billing, allowing the operation to consume vast amounts of power — estimated at 11 million baht ($327,000 USD) — without detection by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA).

The financial toll is jaw-dropping. At Thailand’s average industrial electricity rate of 4.18 baht per kilowatt-hour (approximately $0.12 USD, per MEA 2024 tariffs), the stolen 2.63 million kilowatt-hours equate to roughly 11,000 operational hours — or 458 days of continuous mining at full capacity. This suggests the operation may have been active for over a year, assuming consistent uptime. For the MEA, this wasn’t just a loss of revenue; it was a systemic exploitation of infrastructure meant to serve homes and businesses.

No suspects were apprehended on-site, as the rigs were controlled remotely via the confiscated controllers and internet infrastructure. This remote management capability — likely facilitated by VPNs and encrypted software — allowed operators to monitor performance metrics (e.g., hash rates, power draw, and uptime) from a safe distance, reducing their exposure to law enforcement. The sophistication of the setup raises questions about the technical expertise behind it and the potential scale of similar operations nationwide.

The Luxury Connection: Following the Trail

While the raid yielded no immediate arrests, investigators uncovered a critical lead: evidence linking the operation to a high-end residence in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district, specifically Ram-Indra Soi 65. This upscale neighborhood, known for its gated communities and modern amenities, contrasts sharply with the dilapidated houses in Pathum Thani.