Seastead comes to shore later Monday

A platform, known as a seastead, floats in the water off Phuket’s coast. The navy earlier said that seasteading activities will be closely monitored as they pose a threat to the country’s security. (Navy photo)

Phuket: An operation is due to be carried out on Monday to remove a seastead, a key piece of evidence in a security case being pursued against an American man and his Thai wife who previously occupied it, and tow it to the shore from the sea.

The seastead, built and installed by Ocean Builders, lies about 14 nautical miles (26km) off the coast of Phuket, which is in the country's contiguous zone.

Led by the Third Naval Area Command and local administrative officials, the operation will begin at 9am on Monday and is expected to take about half a day.

They will remove the seastead so it can be towed to the shore, said Capt Phuchong Rotnikon, a naval chief of staff attached to the command, on Sunday.

Up to three ships, including HTMS Si Racha, will be used in Monday's operation, he said.

Chad Elwartowski, 46, a bitcoin investor, and Supranee "Nadia" Thepdet, may face fraud charges for allegedly persuading others to buy the structures developed by Ocean Builders.