[2019-04-22]American bitcoin trader may face death penalty over 'sea home'

[Vishnu.Reang]

Thailand is one of the countries who treats their death penalty seriously and Chad Elwartoski would be lucky if he gets away with a slap in the wrist. That's the bad thing of getting carried away with their ideal life they tend to forget  that they have certain responsibilities and obligations with the law before they even continue living the life they want. With Chad being a foreigner fishing food in Thailand's EEZ I think the Thai government would be easy to point fingers on him since he is really guilty of doing it.

Unfortunately you are right. Thailand is among the few countries in the world, where the death penalty still remains as a valid form of punishment. And worse still, it can be given to individuals accused of treason and Lèse-majesté. And another piece of bad news is that the new king (Maha Vajiralongkorn) is rumored to be very conservative as far as crime and punishment is concerned.

[bbc.reporter]

If they simply desisted from any punishment, it would be a great show of weakness and imbecility.

Lols, and who will know that?
In just a month probably 99% of the people have forgotten about the case, 99.9% will never hear the outcome.

But I'm willing to bet that if you bring up the discussion about building a seastead near Thailand the reaction of your friends is going to be ..you want to get hunted like that American guy?

You can only dream that it is only about politics. However, some Asian governments can be very crazy also and make it a moral victory if they have a westerner imprisoned or given the death penalty.

Yeah, and that moral victory is not about politics?
They acting like crazy and trying to send a message is not about politics?
National pride is all about politics, about trying to show your citizens, neighbors, partners, and your enemies your resolve and your strength. Unfortunately, most only show how stupid they are.

Agreed. However, this might not only be for politics for its own reason. The Thai government might also follow through and execute the American couple if Trump does not intervene.

[stompix]

Agreed. However, this might not only be for politics for its own reason. The Thai government might also follow through and execute the American couple if Trump does not intervene.

NOT going to happen.
Even if I would be throwing aside the bias from the sympathy towards Elwar there is no F way they are going to do this.

From what I've searched they haven't executed an American citizen in their recent history and the only foreigners on the death row are for drug smuggling which will not gather support even in their own country.
But besides that, take into account the fallout if they would really dare.

What would be the message sent to their tourists, the main source of income which again is in huge percentage represented by Americans? Do they afford to lose this? No way in hell!

And is not about Trump telling them to do us a favor, with China's expansions and the strain relations between them they are basically already begging the US to keep a military presence there, USS JCS was just anchored there a few weeks ago. Too bad Elwar didn't make it to it  ,.

Nope!
They will not even dare to convict him and then in a charade of mercy forgive him.
I'm willing to bet they are going to let this slide silently entirely.

The message has been sent, don't do that, there is no need for anything more!

[bbc.reporter]

@stompix. However, Thailand already put themselves in this position. But why? Only for politics? They do not need the problem.

Also, if they wanted more American military presence, the Thai government would not have threatened Elwar and his girlfriend of the death penalty. They might only reprimand them and deal with the American government directly.

[stompix]

@stompix. However, Thailand already put themselves in this position. But why? Only for politics? They do not need the problem.

As I said before, sent a strong message that you're willing to to do something extreme although you don't plan to continue to the end.
Think of children running after pets or scaring crows in the park, the birds get scared, run, the child is happy but if he had caught them he wouldn't have done anything. (probably).

Or think of all the bombers Russia send to the Baltic or to the coasts near Alaska, they don't plan on dropping a nuke, they are just sending a message we can do it.

Since the Us counterpart is also keeping quiet I also think they already know the outcome.

Also, if they wanted more American military presence, the Thai government would not have threatened Elwar and his girlfriend of the death penalty. They might only reprimand them and deal with the American government directly.

Because the deal is already done, this small case won't affect it at all as I suggested above probably they\ve already reassured the US that they are not really serious about it.

Now, I must add, if it would have an Albanian or a Haitian or some small poor country citizen..then yeah, the whole situation would probably be a lot different. But it wouldn't have made it in the news in this case.

[roosbit]

Someone tries to make an honest leaving and spend it on something that makes their life comfortable and happy...the law says you doing something wrong and the Thai authorities don't waste time to move in while hardcore criminals are roaming freely.

Maybe people need to realise they are the government and have the power to reverse these harsh laws.

[bbc.reporter]

@stompix. However if they do not follow through or Trump does not intervene, I reckon it would not be that strong of a message.

In any case, you are right. They do not want to push the American government's hand. They might give them life sentence which might be shortened to 2 years when no one is looking hehehehe.