Thailand’s electricity authorities caught up in illegal crypto mining scandal

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Suja Sunderarajan

Author

Suja Sunderarajan

Since part of the group

June 2023

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Suja was recognized by BeInCrypto for her leadership in crypto journalism 🟣 Women in Crypto 2024.

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Last Updated:

January 28, 2026

Thailand's Special Investigation Force (DSI) has exposed four senior officials from the Regional Electricity Authority (PEA) for abusing their power to run an illegal Bitcoin mining syndicate.

Thousands of illegal miners took 19 million baht ($612.9 million) in cash from the assistant PEA governor.

The Bangkok Post reported on Tuesday that DSI raided three houses and seized mining equipment, cash, laptops, phones and bank accounts.

“Operation Copperhead” – a massive crackdown on illegal Bitcoin mining operations

The raid by the DSI was part of “Operation Copperhead” launched in December 2025, said Police Major General Ruttapon Naowarat.

The operation targets criminal networks operating in Thailand, focusing on money laundering and the seizure of illegal assets.

On January 19, DSI officials seized 3,642 crypto miners, finding evidence linking them to financiers and state officials.

The accused PEA officials include an assistant governor, a regional deputy manager, a technician and a service department employee who retired in 2025.

A thorough search was carried out in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces, the report said.

The investigators also found that the accused PEA officials used their authority to ensure that warehouses, electricity supply and transformers were delivered to the mines. It is reported that they receive a monthly payment of up to 400,000 birr.

“Legal action will be taken against all criminals without distinction, rank or position,” said Paul Capt Kemachart Prakaihongmane, Director of DSI's Technology and Cybercrime Bureau. “The matter will be expedited and referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.”

Thailand tightens crypto controls, keeps illegal operations under scrutiny

The country is tightening controls on digital assets, having already ordered a wide-ranging crackdown on ‘grey money' – funds that appear legitimate but often trace back to criminal syndicates and illegal activities.

Additionally, in January 2025, the PAA revealed a Bitcoin mining farm in Chonburi for tapping energy meters to steal electricity. About 996 miners were arrested in the action.

However, the issue of illegal Bitcoin mining is not limited to Thailand. It is part of the wider world issue.

For example, Russia lost “millions of dollars a year” in electricity and lost a tax related to crypto mining last year. As a result, the country's Ministry of Justice has proposed up to 5 years in prison and a fine of 2.5 million rubles for unregistered crypto mining operations.