At 11:30 AM on June 9, Pol. Sub-Lt. Manit Nakphaiboon, deputy inspector of Mueang Ang Thong Police Station, received a report from the Provincial Electricity Authority about electricity theft at a commercial building along Pho Phra Ya–Tha Ruea Road, Moo 1, Pa Ngio Subdistrict, Mueang District, Ang Thong Province. He promptly went to the scene with Pol. Lt. Col. Mongkol Panta, deputy superintendent of investigations, and an investigative team.
Mr. Manop Siriruekphong, deputy manager of Ang Thong Electricity Authority, explained that electricity fuses in the area had blown unusually often—twice within the week. This raised suspicions, prompting an inspection. Authorities discovered that electricity was being consumed excessively at a building. Upon checking, they found a power line bypassing the meter, indicating theft.
The building was locked, and the tenant could not be reached. Authorities found that Bitcoin mining—while legal—had been carried out using stolen electricity, which incurs high costs. The 60-year-old building owner provided a lease contract showing the tenant as Mr. Phattarakorn (alias), 38, from Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi. He had previously been linked to another electricity theft incident for Bitcoin mining in a nearby subdistrict just a week earlier.
Officials used bolt cutters to enter the premises. On the fourth floor, they found 23 Bitcoin mining machines in operation, with another 6 units prepared for installation. The setup was using approximately 120 amps, causing damage estimated at 7,000 baht per day or 200,000 baht per month.
Forensic officers collected evidence and confiscated the mining equipment. Police plan to issue a summons for Mr. Phattarakorn to face charges for electricity theft in accordance with the law.