Editing Micronation (section)

=== Arguments for sovereignty ===
''Micronation'' as a word has no basis in international law.<ref>{{cite dictionary|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195389777.001.0001/acref-9780195389777-e-1445?rskey=xn1ueZ&result=1441|editor-first1=John P.|editor-last1=Grant|editor-first2=J. Craig|editor-last2=Barker|year=2009|title=micronations|dictionary=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law|edition=3|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=978-0-195-38977-7|quote=While the terms micro-States or mini-States have some meaning in international law, the term micronations does not.|via=[[Oxford Reference]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Hobbs|Williams|2021b|p=28–29}} Despite this, several micronations have attempted to justify their claims to sovereignty by citing [[loopholes]] in local laws. A commonly attempted tactic used by micronationalists to legitimise their claims is the [[declarative theory of statehood]] as defined by the [[Montevideo Convention]], which defines a ''[[State (polity)|state]]'' as: "a person of international law [that] possess the following qualifications: (a) a permanent [[population]]; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states."{{sfn|Hobbs|Williams|2021b|p=28–29}}{{sfn|Furnues|2018|p=11–12}}

In 2019, a couple seasteading off the coast of Thailand went into hiding after being accused by the [[Royal Thai Navy]] of violating Thailand's sovereignty. If found guilty, they could face [[life in prison]] or the [[death penalty]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-18/bitcoin-couple-face-death-penalty-in-thailand-for-seastead/11031336|last=Weedon|first=Alan|date=18 April 2019|title=Bitcoin couple could face death penalty in Thailand for 'seastead' floating home in international waters|work=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-47974234|date=18 April 2019|title=US man could face death penalty over Thailand 'sea home'|work=BBC News}}</ref> As of 2020, they relocated to Panama.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Elmhirst |first=Sophie|author-link=Sophie Elmhirst |date=2021-09-07 |title=The disastrous voyage of Satoshi, the world's first cryptocurrency cruise ship |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/sep/07/disastrous-voyage-satoshi-cryptocurrency-cruise-ship-seassteading |access-date=2023-11-15 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>