Thailand Launches Operation Against Illegal Cryptocurrency Mining Networks
Thai authorities dismantled illegal cryptocurrency mining networks using stolen electricity in coordinated raids across seven locations, with the Prime Minister vowing strict prosecution of operators, investors, and any complicit officials.
Prime Minister Anuthidh Savastiprasong led the announcement of Operation SILENT VOLT results, which dismantled networks involved in illegal electricity use for cryptocurrency mining. The operation is expanding prosecutions and seizing assets for state ownership.
On July 23, 2025, at 9:50 AM at the Santitham Building within Government House, Prime Minister Anuthidh Savastiprasong and the Interior Minister presided over the Operation SILENT VOLT press briefing, announcing coordinated raids at seven locations to dismantle the illegal electricity network supporting cryptocurrency mining operations.
Justice Minister General Rutpol Naorat, DSI Commissioner Police Major General Yuthana Phraedamrong, Technology and Information Crime Division Director Police Colonel Khemchai Prakay Hongmani, and Provincial Electricity Authority Governor Mongkol Treekitjanan joined the announcement.
Prime Minister Anuthidh emphasized that the government takes seriously the suppression of all forms of technology-enabled crime, particularly illegal electricity use for cryptocurrency mining operations, which exploits society, damages state property, threatens electrical grid stability, and undermines confidence in the nation's law enforcement. The government has tasked all relevant agencies—the DSI, Provincial Electricity Authority, security agencies, and law enforcement—to work closely together to investigate thoroughly and prosecute offenders completely, including operators, investors, supporters, and any state officials who may be involved, without exception or discrimination.
The Prime Minister stated that government action aims not merely at arrests or asset seizures but at breaking the cycle of technology-enabled economic crime. The government will employ all applicable legal measures, including prosecution, asset tracking, and network expansion investigations to prevent recurrence.
The government will support technology use and digital economy activities conducted transparently and fairly within legal frameworks but will not permit technology to serve as a channel for pilfering state resources or damaging the nation's economic and utility systems.
The Prime Minister assured the public that the government will enforce laws seriously and continuously, coupled with enhanced monitoring and proactive inspections to protect national interests, maintain energy security, and create a fair business environment for law-abiding entrepreneurs.
Regarding the greatest damage from illegal electricity use, the Prime Minister noted that the most severe cases involve direct-line connections through transformers from the Provincial Electricity Authority, which consume enormous amounts of electricity and cause substantial state losses requiring full enforcement action.
Seizure of equipment alone is insufficient because such assets retain value only when used operationally. When dismantled and sold piecemeal, they have little worth, as technology assets deteriorate rapidly and lose value quickly. Equipment seized and held for two to three months becomes worthless.
The Prime Minister emphasized the focus should be on identifying supporters, operators, customers, and which state officials allowed illegal electricity use, noting they cannot claim ignorance. Such massive electricity consumption must be monitored by the Provincial and Metropolitan Electricity Authorities at source and destination points.
