POLICE hunting for a missing Suffolk man in Thailand have said money was withdrawn from his bank account within the last week.

Tom Armstrong, of Kelsale near Saxmundham, had enrolled on a dive master course on the island of Koh Tao.

The 22-year-old was due to fly home on January 8 but he did not board his flight and has not been in contact with his family since.

Police are increasingly concerned for his welfare and have renewed appeals for members of the public to provide any detail they have in relation to his whereabouts.

It is believed that Mr Armstrong is still in Thailand and records show that money was withdrawn from his bank account on Wednesday, January 16 in Bangkok.

Detective chief inspector Neil Luckett said: “No contact has been received from Tom for over two weeks now, and despite our efforts so far, we have not been able to locate him.

“We therefore remain concerned about his welfare and we are urging anyone with information about Tom, in the UK or Thailand, to come forward.

“We have been working very closely with Tom’s family and are in liaison with authorities in Thailand to try and ascertain his whereabouts and to establish whether or not he is safe and well.

“If Tom is reading this I would urge him to contact us and let us know he is safe.

“If for whatever reason he does not wish to speak with family or friends I would ask him to contact the authorities in the UK or wherever he is, so that we can be assured he is OK.”

During his time abroad Mr Armstrong had been in touch with his family via email and social networking website Facebook.

His mother Helen Armstrong-Bland said: “Tom is a kind, considerate, sensitive person, who often puts others needs before his own. He loves the outdoors, nature and in particular water sports and ocean life.

“He was seeking a career in the Navy when he broke his leg and had to postpone his application. After recovery he felt it was a golden opportunity to pursue his love of the ocean and diving.

“Tom left for Thailand in the beginning of April 2012 where he started to fully enjoy not only his course and social life but being on the beautiful island of Koh Tao.

“We just want to receive any information that would tell us that Tom is alive and well. We desperately want him home as we are all missing him terribly, especially his brothers Luke, George and his little sister, Bella, who Tom adores.”

Mr Armstrong is described as approximately 6ft 2ins, of medium build with fair, slightly wavy medium length hair and sometimes has a short beard, which is more red than fair in colour.

If anyone has information that could help officers with their investigations they are asked to contact the Suffolk police on 101.