PHUKET, April 19 (TNA) – Phuket Deputy Governor insisted that an American-Thai couple violates Thai law for their seasteading movement and legal actions will be taken against them and associates to prevent similar wrongdoings.
The police are gathering more evidence to seek arrest warrants for the couple, who is in hiding and is believed to stay in the kingdom, said deputy governor Supoj Rodruang Na Nong Khai.
Chad Andrew Elwartowski and his Thai girlfriend, Suprenee Thepdet had been living part-time in the floating structure, anchored off Phuket Island and promoted the planned seasteading community in international waters to be free of any nation’s laws.
The Thai Navy filed a complaint with the Phuket police on Saturday and the authorities inspected the pair’s floating living platform, about 12 nautical miles from shore.
Initially, their action is deemed a threat to Thailand’s sovereignty and breaching Section 119 of the Criminal Code, an offence punishable by life imprisonment or death.
The navy will remove the floating structure and the American man visa was revoked. According to inspection by authorities, the shipyard, where the floating structure was built was found to operate without a license. (TNA)
