PHUKET: The navy began dismantling and removing a controversial floating seastead from its location in the Andaman Sea, southeast of Phuket, and transporting it to shore on Monday morning.
Officials were also planning to seek court arrest warrants for the US-Thai couple who had it built and then anchored 14 nautical miles (about 26 kilometres) off the coast.
RAdm Withanarat Kochaseni, deputy commander of the 3rd Naval Area, again told reporters aboard HTMS Si Racha on Monday that American Chad Elwartowski and his Thai wife Supranee Thepdet's floating house was in violation of Thai sovereignty.
"The couple announced on social media they were independent of the judiciary or law of any state, including Thailand, and invited other people also interested in building similar residences to what would apparently become an independent community.
"Their action is seen as undermining the sovereignty of Thailand," he said.
VAdm Sitthiporn Matkasem, commander of the 3rd Naval Area, said the original builder of the floating structure had given the navy advice on its removal.
The living module, about six metres across, would be removed from its floating base, which would then would be then released. The house would be loaded onto HMTS Mannai, and the floating base would be towed to Phuket Deep Sea Port, he said.
He expected the seastead's removal to take no more than half a day.
Phuket deputy governor Supot Rodrueang na Nongkhai said officials would press charges against the couple next week.
