The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), is advancing efforts to suppress illegal Bitcoin mining nationwide. Authorities conducted searches at 14 sites across five provinces, seizing 315 mining machines and causing damages exceeding 40 million baht.
On 20 June 2026, Ms. Lalida Pertvivatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, stated that the government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, prioritizes preventing and cracking down on illegal electricity use, which threatens the security of the power system, causes damage to the state, and increases costs for all electricity users. Recently, the Ministry of Interior, together with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and related agencies, has seriously investigated and suppressed illegal electricity use for digital currency mining.
The Deputy Spokesperson said that Mr. Polpeer Suwanchawee, Deputy Minister of the Interior, chaired a press conference on operations to investigate and suppress illegal electricity use for digital currency (Bitcoin) mining. This initiative results from cooperation among the Provincial Electricity Authority, the Department of Provincial Administration, the Royal Thai Police, and related agencies, integrating information and proactive operations to detect abnormal electricity use in targeted areas.
This operation involved searches at 14 targeted locations in five provinces: Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Roi Et, and Maha Sarakham. Investigations uncovered offenses including electricity meter tampering and unauthorized electricity use bypassing meters, supplying power to digital currency mining machines. These illegal acts affect the stability of the electricity distribution system.
Officials seized a total of 315 digital currency mining machines, with estimated damages around 40.38 million baht, consisting of 5.38 million baht in fines for electricity misuse and approximately 35 million baht in fines for unit electricity restoration. The Provincial Electricity Authority has gathered evidence and filed legal complaints against all involved parties.
Ms. Lalida emphasized that illegal electricity use for digital currency mining is not only unlawful but also causes national energy losses, disrupts the efficiency of the power system, and increases costs for law-abiding electricity consumers. The government therefore prioritizes continuous suppression of such activities.
"The government will continue integrating efforts across all relevant agencies to seriously investigate and suppress all forms of electricity theft, alongside developing more efficient electricity usage monitoring systems. This aims to maintain energy security, ensure fairness for electricity users nationwide, and protect the state's long-term interests."