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.
(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.
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.
