A SUFFOLK man has drowned after jumping into the sea to escape a gang while holidaying in Thailand.

Patrick Molloy, 28, from Newmarket, was on holiday following his release from prison after serving a sentence for assault.

He and two other men, from Cambridge, jumped into the sea in the Thai resort of Pattaya to escape the local men.

It is understood they were chased through a restaurant by several Thai men wielding knives and sticks after an argument.

The argument is reported to have started in the early hours of Sunday when a group of five or six Thai men confronted the trio at a club called Marine 2 Discoteque.

One of the men, named as James Wilks, 29, swam and managed to find refuge on a yacht while the other man, Jerry Robson, 30, was pulled from the water by fisherman.

By the time a rescue boat reached Mr Molloy, he had drowned.

The trio travelled to Thailand just days after Mr Molloy completed an 18-week jail term for an assault outside a bar.

He was convicted in August of attacking another man outside Unique bar in Kingston Passage, Newmarket.

Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court heard Mr Molloy had numerous previous convictions for offences including assault, public order offences, affray and grievous and actual bodily harm.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national in Pattaya, Thailand, on December 2.”