An Australian man has been formally charged with murder in Thailand after police discovered the body of a 17-year-old girl inside a suitcase abandoned near a railway line in the resort city of Pattaya.
Authorities allege the suspect, Simon Peter Carman, was attempting to leave the country when he was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in the early hours of Saturday.
He has denied the allegations and maintains that he acted in self-defence.
Missing Teen’s Disappearance Triggered Urgent Investigation
The victim, Tunchanok Donhomla, had been reported missing by her family on Friday evening after they lost contact with her.
As officers launched an investigation, they examined surveillance footage from a condominium where the teenager had reportedly been seen entering with Carman during the early hours of Thursday morning.
Police allege the footage later showed the Australian leaving the building by himself late that night while pulling a large suitcase, which investigators say was then loaded onto a motorcycle before being transported toward nearby railway tracks.
Arrest Made Moments Before Body Was Found
Following their investigation, officers tracked Carman to Bangkok’s international airport, roughly 150 kilometres north of Pattaya, where he was taken into custody shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday.
Approximately 15 minutes later, police located the suitcase near the railway line. Inside, they found the teenager’s body.
Alongside the murder accusation, Carman also faces charges of concealing a body and taking a minor for sexual purposes under Thai law.
Suspect Rejects Murder Allegation
During police questioning, Carman denied intentionally killing the teenager.
According to local media reports, he claimed he had agreed to pay Donhomla 1,000 baht for sexual services but an argument developed after he allegedly offered her only half of the agreed amount.
He has reportedly insisted he acted in self-defence and also claimed that, while he was asleep, the teenager somehow disappeared from his room.
Thai police say they continue to investigate those claims.
Emotional Message Delivered From Police Custody
After his arrest, Carman recorded a message addressed to the victim’s family while in police custody.
In the video, he expressed sorrow over the teenager’s death, saying he felt “bad for what happened” and describing the incident as something that was “out of my control.”
He added that he understood the family’s grief before urging other young women to be cautious.
Investigators Point to Evidence of a Struggle
Police say Carman had multiple scratch marks across his body when he was arrested.
According to Pattaya police superintendent Colonel Anek Srathongyoo, the injuries appeared consistent with signs of a physical struggle.
When questioned about the scratches in another police-recorded video, Carman dismissed their significance, suggesting they may have been caused by spiders.
Authorities have not indicated whether forensic examinations have linked the injuries directly to the victim.
Family Mourns the Loss of Their Only Child
Donhomla, affectionately known as “Cake,” lived with her father and stepmother in Thailand’s Kalasin province, around 480 kilometres northeast of Pattaya.
She had reportedly told her family she planned to spend a holiday with a friend before travelling to Pattaya on 16 June.
Her father, Thongchai Donhomla, described himself as devastated by the loss of his only child, saying she had always worked hard to support both herself and him despite growing up without her mother.
Her stepmother, Oradee Bussarakum, recalled the family’s growing fears after she disappeared, saying they desperately hoped for a different outcome but are now overwhelmed with grief.
Murder Conviction Could Carry Death Penalty
Thai authorities continue to build their case while Carman remains in custody.
Under Thailand’s criminal law, a conviction for murder can carry the death penalty, although the country’s courts also have the option of imposing life imprisonment depending on the circumstances of the case.
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue gathering evidence surrounding the teenager’s death.
