Hot News
Phuket ‘Seasteaders’ told to pack up and go home
PHOTO: An artist’s impression from the seasteading website
The ‘seasteading’ couple, that have set up a ‘floating’ home some 15 nautical miles off Phuket’s coast, are now the subject of an official complaint by the Thai Third Naval Area Command (that oversee Phuket’s security).
Chad Andrew Elwartowski and his Thai wife, Supranee Thepdet are said to be in violation of the the Thai Criminal Code.
The couple is believed to be in the early days of setting up an ‘independent state’ in international waters. A source, speaking to the Bangkok Post, believes the couple are preparing paperwork to codify their new ‘seasteading’ status in international waters.
But the Phuket Marine Office is being asked to contact the couple and ask them to remove the structure.
“If left untouched it will hinder shipping navigation since the route is used for transporting oil to Phuket.”
A source for the Phuket Marine Office says the couple’s claims that they are in international waters, and outside of Thai maritime territory, are untrue.
In the meantime, Vice-Admiral Sittiporn Maskasem, commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, is sending officers to where the structure is set up, 15 nautical miles southeast of Racha Yai island off Phuket. Radio communication with the offshore platform has so far been unsuccessful.
It is believe that the American Mr Elwartowski made his fortune on early Bitcoin trading. The pair reportedly aimed to set up a permanent shelter out of any state territories by exploiting a loophole in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
A movement by some to set up autonomous, independent ‘nations’ has become popular in the cryptocurrency community, particularly the ones who became rich from the early trading of the controversial ‘closed system’ currency systems.
From the seasteading website…
We believe the first key step is for seasteading to become not just possible, but sustainable – technologically, legally, and financially.
In other words, the cost of living on the ocean must be low enough, and the business opportunities promising enough, such that there is an economic incentive for people to live on seasteads. Currently, the high cost of open ocean engineering serves as a large barrier to entry, and hinders entrepreneurship in international waters. This has led us to look for cost-reducing solutions within the territorial waters of a host nation, while still remaining dedicated to the goal of obtaining political autonomy for governmental experiments.
Therefore, our plan entails negotiating with a host nation for maximum autonomy for a seastead in exchange for the economic and social benefits it could provide. This will allow for a proof-of-concept, and will hopefully spawn many more experiments with floating cities around the world, including those further offshore, and under different legal arrangements.
Get more from The Thaiger
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS
👋 Have your say on our Thailand forums
🔔 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
📺 Subscribe / Join YouTube for daily shows
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🐦 FOLLOW us on Twitter
📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.
Thailand News Today | Nov 1 reopening proposed; arrest for “sexy” officer cosplay | September 24
Covid-19 UPDATE: Provincial totals, vaccinations and more
Contrary to Anutin, US says delivery of vaccines awaits Thailand
Welcome back to Thailand!
Thaiger is getting behind local businesses for the restart of tourism in Thailand - up to 50% discounts across all advertising packages!
Sponsored by 
Sunsets, ‘Farangs’ and Boring Charisma | Thaiger Bites | Ep. 25
CCSA approves reopening delay, state of emergency extension
Video of feet on bread appears to be from India, not Thailand
Thailand Top Stories | Thailand’s security council approves Emergency Decree extension | Sep 24
Phuket Covid-19: 3 new deaths, 322 released from medical care
Malaysia considers further re-opening to domestic tourism
Thailand Re-opening, Costs and challenges | Good Morning Thailand | Ep. 96
Weather warning issued as tropical storm Dianmu approaches
Education ministry to accelerate vaccination of over 200,000 teachers
US judge orders Facebook to disclose anti-Rohingya content as part of international case against Myanmar
Tourism operators slam government as re-opening postponed to November
Friday Covid Update: 12,697 new cases and 132 deaths
Travel data to Thailand for 106 million people unprotected online
Cuts to import duty on alcohol, cigars, part of plan to entice wealthy foreigners
OnlyFans content creators arrested by Thai police on pornography charges
Party at luxury villa in Phuket raided, homeowner allegedly assaults police officer
Doctors say cardiac arrest caused death of man given AstraZeneca booster shot
Covid-19: Detailed info on vaccinations, hospitalisations, and provinces
Local businesses say they aren’t profiting from Phuket Sandbox
Around 20 people arrested at Koh Samui restaurant for drinking alcohol, gambling, playing pool
Governor says Bangkok will only re-open when safe to do so
Bangkok re-opening Criteria, Thai Airways keeps Struggling | Good Morning Thailand | Episode 93
Police suddenly began raiding Patong bars selling alcohol
Morning Top Stories | No approved October re-opening, Phuket easing restrictions | September 20
Ex-cop “Joe Ferrari,” other officers charged with violating discipline policy over suspect’s death
Government warns that posting pornographic material is illegal following OnlyFans creator being questioned by police
Phuket domestic travel rules need streamlining, officials discuss
Morning Top Stories Thailand | Police to end protests, Human Trafficking | September 14
Thailand News Today | Thai Airways in rehab, All go for Songkran | March 4
Phuket’s nightlife. Yes, bars and clubs are still open | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Covid passport talks, Thai Airways heads to court | March 2
Phuket Thai food treats you need to try | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Bars, pubs and restaurants ‘sort of’ back to normal | Feb 23
In search of Cat & Dog Cafés in Phuket Town | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Gambling crackdown, Seafood market to reopen, Vlogger challenge | Jan 21
Thailand News Today | Covid testing for visas, Business impact, Vaccine approval | January 19
Thailand News Today | Weekend Bangkok bombs, Thailand fires, Covid update | January 18
Thailand News Today | Stray car on runway, Indonesian quake, 300 baht tourist fee | January 15
Thailand News Today | Governor off respirator, sex-trafficking arrest, condo prices falling | January 14
Thailand News Today | Chinese vaccine, Thailand ‘drug hub’, Covid update | January 13
Thailand News Today | Bangkok may ease restrictions, Phuket bar curfew, Vaccine roll out | January 12
Thailand News Today | Covid latest, Cockfights closed down, Bryde’s Whale beached | January 11
-
Thailand2 days agoTravel data to Thailand for 106 million people unprotected online
-
Crime3 days agoOnlyFans content creators arrested by Thai police on pornography charges
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days agoParty at luxury villa in Phuket raided, homeowner allegedly assaults police officer
-
Bangkok3 days agoGovernor says Bangkok will only re-open when safe to do so
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)1 day agoPolice suddenly began raiding Patong bars selling alcohol
-
Crime2 days agoEx-cop “Joe Ferrari,” other officers charged with violating discipline policy over suspect’s death
-
News3 days agoGovernment warns that posting pornographic material is illegal following OnlyFans creator being questioned by police
-
Pattaya2 days agoOctober Pattaya reopening on schedule according to mayor
You must be logged in to post a comment Login