A Thai woman has come forward with chilling details about her encounter with accused suitcase killer Simon Carman just weeks before he allegedly murdered and dumped the body of a 17-year-old girl. Tang Chai, a 43-year-old mother of two, said she spent a night in Carman's 'stinky' room after meeting him at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Pattaya.
Meeting at a 7-Eleven
Ms Chai told the Daily Mail that Carman approached her in a 7-Eleven and asked for her phone number. 'Simon say hello at 7-Eleven and ask for my number,' she said. 'He send me messages on WhatsApp same day and ask me out for a date. But I tell him I cannot. I tell him I need money from customers and cannot come for free.'
Ms Chai had moved to Pattaya six months earlier after hearing it was easy to make money in the red light district. She hoped to earn enough to send money back home to her children.
The Night in the Room
The following day, Carman booked Ms Chai for an hour, agreeing to pay a set fee. Recalling the experience, she said she was immediately struck by the foul smell as she entered his accommodation. 'The room was so stinky, smelled musty,' she said. 'It was very strong and messy everywhere.'
Ms Chai said she engaged in sexual activity with Carman, despite his health issues complicating the situation. Carman paid her the agreed fee of 3,500 baht ($150 AUD) without question and added a tip of 200 baht ($8.50 AUD).
Change in Demeanour
Ms Chai initially felt safe in his company, but his demeanour changed later over text when she asked if he would like to see her again. 'If you'd like to see me again, you can call me,' she wrote. 'No, 3,500 baht is a scam,' he replied.
After hearing news of the murder of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya, Ms Chai said she was 'so scared'. 'I could not sleep for three days thinking about what happened to the girl. I feel sick and worry (thinking it could have) happened to me.'
Background on the Case
Simon Carman, a Western Australian man, is accused of killing Tunchanok Donhomla and stuffing her body in a suitcase before dumping it near railway tracks in Pattaya. He allegedly attempted to flee the country on a Jetstar flight to Perth but was arrested.
It is understood that Carman was a frequent customer across bars in Pattaya, often buying young women drinks and offering them massages and gifts. He is currently being held in Pattaya Remand Prison, charged with the teen's murder. If convicted, he faces the death penalty or life imprisonment.
