(L to R) Pramak Maokramol, Somkid Woenkrathok
and Sompoj Sukantapurk were brought in for questioning about their
involvement in the drowning death of Patrick Lawrence Malloy.
Boonlua Chatree
Three security guards were brought in for questioning in connection with
the drowning death of a British ex-convict in the waters behind Walking
Street.
Patrick Lawrence Malloy, 28, died early Dec. 2 after he and two friends were
chased by a group of Thai men into the Tankay seafood restaurant where they
jumped into the sea. Malloy drowned while trying to pull himself onto a
banana boat. James Wilks, 29, and Jerry Robson, 30, were rescued by a
fishing boat.
Later that day, Buriram natives Pramak Maokramol, 25, and Somkid
Woenkrathok, 37, and Sompoj Sukantapurk, 33, of Nakhon Ratchasima turned
themselves into Pattaya police. They were charged with conspiracy to commit
assault resulting in death. All three denied the charges. Police took their
details and let them go, but told them they may have to go to court after
police investigate the death further.
Malloy was on vacation with Wilks and Robson after finishing a 4.5-month
sentence at Bury St. Edmunds Magistrates’ Court for assault. Witnesses said
all three were extremely drunk and caused the melee that led to Malloy’s
death when they tried to get into the Marine Disco after closing.
Police said that when security guards refused the trio entrance, they got
abusive and pushed over a motorbike, which in turn toppled several more.
Several male bike owners became angry and up to six were seen chasing the
Brits.
Malloy - described in British media a “quite a violent individual” who
previously was convicted for assault, public disorder, affray, and bodily
harm - led his mates into the seafood restaurant where they dived off the
patio-seating area.
Wilks and Robson managed to swim to boats offshore where they were pulled
aboard and returned to the beach. Malloy, however, became entangled in the
banana boat’s ropes and succumbed.
