An Australian man has been charged with the murder of a teenage girl whose naked body was discovered inside a suitcase in Thailand. Simon Peter Carman, 46, appeared in custody at Pattaya City court on Sunday after his arrest at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport on Friday evening.
Charges and Denial
Pattaya City police confirmed that Carman faces three charges: murder, concealing a corpse to hide the cause of death, and abduction of a minor over 15 but under 18 for indecent purposes. Police stated that Carman denied all charges during questioning in the early hours of Saturday morning. In video footage obtained by the ABC and other media, Carman said the incident was 'out of my control' and expressed regret to the victim's family.
Discovery of the Body
The victim, identified as 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, was reported missing in Pattaya on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast. After interrogating Carman, local police found a naked body in a suitcase near railway tracks, which they identified as the missing teenager. CCTV footage verified by police allegedly shows Carman and Donhomla holding hands in a condo lobby at around 3:30 am on Thursday. Later that evening, between 9:25 pm and 9:48 pm, footage allegedly depicts Carman dragging the suitcase out of the building, strapping it to a motorbike, and leaving. He returned without the suitcase between 9:57 pm and 10:06 pm.
Alleged Motive and Self-Defense Claim
Local Thai media, including the Thairath news website, reported that the alleged crime stemmed from a disagreement over money. Thairath noted that Carman pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defense, which resulted in Donhomla's death. According to Thai criminal code, a murder conviction can carry the death penalty or imprisonment ranging from 15 to 20 years.
Victim's Father Speaks Out
The victim's father, Thongchai Donhomla, 46, expressed his grief to Reuters, stating, 'I am deeply saddened. My daughter had no mother, so whenever she wanted anything, she would find a way herself, and she always helped me too.' Carman remains in custody, and a court date for his appearance is yet to be determined.
