Couple could face death penalty over ‘sea home’

An American man and his Thai partner could face the death penalty after being accused of building a “sea home” off Thailand.

Thai authorities have raided a floating home in the Andaman Sea as the couple sought to be pioneers in the “seasteading” movement.

The movement promotes living in international waters to be free of any nation’s laws. Thailand’s navy said they endangered national sovereignty – an offence punishable by life imprisonment or death.

The navy filed a complaint against them with police. Chad Elwartowski said he believed he and partner Supranee Thepdet did nothing wrong. The couple, who have gone into hiding, had been living part-time on a small structure they said was anchored outside Thailand’s territorial waters.