Holidaymaker Gareth Harnett (right) in Thailand with school friend Bobby Alamouti

A Ramsgate heart attack victim who was on a life support machine in a hospital in Thailand is expected to leave hospital this week.

Gareth Harnett, 29, collapsed within days of arriving in Phuket - but did not have holiday health insurance.

Friends in Thailand and Thanet set about a massive fund-raising campaign for treatment, which was running at more than £2,300 a day.

Childhood friend Patrick Dyett, who has been co-ordinating the fund-raising in Phuket with Gareth's fellow travellers, broke the good news via social networking sites.

He said: "The doctors are happy for him to leave hospital as long as he rests in Phuket for a week.

"The next step will be to go back to hospital on Saturday to get re-examined and a 'fit to fly' certificate."

Patrick, who immediately put £6,000 towards Gareth's hospital fees last week so he could receive necessary treatment, said that the friends are staying in a hotel hoping and waiting for the clearance for Gareth to leave hospital and head for home.

He added it has been a huge strain on the party, watching their life-long friend battle back from a coma and his recovery in intensive care.

Patrick said: "It has been a tough time mentally for us out here. We can't thank everyone enough for their support here and at home."

He described reaction to the fund-raising campaign, which so far stands just shy of £10,000 on a pledge site online and more raised through events and donations in the Thanet area and beyond, as "amazing".

Patrick added: "If for any reason they won't allow him to fly with just us, a doctor will be organised to take the flight with us. We have now reduced the Pledgie and will keep people posted with updates.

"If there is any money left over I was going to donate it to the Pilgrim's Hospice at Margate, if that is OK with everyone."