The ex wife of the ASOS founder who mysteriously plunged to his death in Thailand has launched a custody battle for their two children.

Quentin Griffiths, 58, who was born in London and co-founded the online retail giant, is said to have fallen from the 17th floor of his condominium in Pattaya, a seaside city south of Bangkok, on February 9.

Emergency services found the millionaire’s body on the ground below his balcony and his death is being treated as a suicide by police.

Griffiths was on his own, with his room locked from the inside, and there was no evidence of a break-in at the time of his death, police said.

A post-mortem examination did not reveal any evidence of foul play.

Now, his ex-wife Ploy Kringsinthanakun, 43 is fighting to regain custody of their two children, aged 12 and 11, after they were handed over to their paternal relatives following Griffiths death.

Her lawyers have said that Kringsinthanakun and Griffiths shared court-ordered joint custody of the children, and that this is in direct contravention of the order.

‘Our client is profoundly concerned about the safety, emotional well-being, and stability of her children during this extremely difficult time,’ they said.

Ploy Kringsinthanakun is fighting to regain custody of her two children after they were handed to their parental relatives following the death of their father

Quentin Griffiths and ex-wife Ploy Kringsinthanakun shared two children together

‘She is the children’s legal custodial parent and is seeking their immediate and safe return in accordance with the standing court order.’

In a statement released by her counsel, Kringsinthanakun said:

‘My children have already suffered the devastating loss of their father. At a time when they most need the comfort, love, and stability of their mother, I have been prevented from being with them. 

‘I am pleading with those who currently have my children — please do the right thing and return them to me immediately so we can begin to heal as a family.’

Griffith’s death came amid an alleged ongoing dispute with his ex-wife, who accused him of fraudulently selling land and shares worth £500,000 belonging to a company they operated together.

Last January, Griffiths was reportedly arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and questioned by detectives after Kringsinthanakun alleged he had forged documents to sell the land and shares in the business without her knowledge.

Griffiths denied the allegations and was released after questioning.

The investigation was continuing at the time of his death, according to reports.

But Kringsinthanakun has said she played no role in his death, which occurred just days before their next scheduled court appearance.

Kringsinthanakun said she and her ex-husband had not been in contact for four years and eight months after she discovered he had been unfaithful.

She said she found out about his death from his lawyer, and in a state of shock, checked local Pattaya news but found nothing.

Speaking about the death, a source close to the family said: ‘It’s a real mystery. The phrase ‘suspicious circumstances’ has been used but we just don’t know yet.’

Griffiths girlfriend at the time of the tragedy, Jom Thipanongsri, said she was shocked at his death.

Speaking to The Sun, the 26-year-old said: ‘I just can’t believe he would do something like that.

‘No one close to him ever thought he would take his own life, because no one saw any warning signs at all.

‘And personally I never saw him taking antidepressants or any other medication.’

She said she is heartbroken, in complete shock and has cried every day since his death.

Griffiths (pictured) helped launch Asos in 2000 and remained there until 2005

Griffiths helped launch ASOS in 2000 alongside Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan, and remained there until 2005.

The company grew into a £3billion global retailer, with the Princess of Wales and Michelle Obama among those to have worn its own-label designs.

A former advertising executive, he stepped down as marketing director after four years.

He later made £15million from share sales in 2010 and received a further stock windfall in 2013.

The father-of-three moved to Thailand around 2007.

In a statement, ASOS said: ‘We’re saddened to hear about the passing of Quentin, one of our original co-founders.

‘He played an important role in ASOS’s earliest days, and we’re forever grateful for his contribution. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.’