Suffolk: Missing Man Re-Appeal

22 January 2013, 17:47 | Updated: 22 January 2013, 17:49

Tom Armstrong from Kelsale left for Thailand in April 2012 to take up a diving course on the island of Koh Tao.

During his time there Tom has been in contact with his family via email and Facebook.

The last contact received from Tom was on Sunday 6 January, during which he stated that he would be catching a flight home on Tuesday 8 January, arriving at Heathrow on the morning of Wednesday 9 January. However, he did not board his flight and has not been in contact since.

It is believed that Tom is still in Thailand, possibly in the Bangkok area.  Records show that money was withdrawn from his bank account, at an address in Bangkok on Wednesday 16 January.

Police have been carrying out extensive enquiries to find Tom and have been liaising with contacts in Thailand in attempts to trace him.

Tom's family and police are growing increasingly concerned as to his whereabouts and are appealing for any information that would indicate where he is, and that he is alive and well.

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."

Tom's 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.

"Tom 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 by taking a dive master course on the Island of Koh Tao, Thailand.  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. 

"If Tom is reading this appeal now, I would urge him to get in touch with us or with police and let us know that he is ok."

Tom 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 police with their investigations they are asked to contact the Suffolk Police on 101.Notes to editorsA photograph of Tom is attached