PATTAYA, Thailand — Thai authorities have charged an Australian man with murder after the body of a 17-year-old girl was discovered inside a suitcase abandoned near a railway track in the coastal city of Pattaya, according to police and local media reports.
Police said Simon Peter Carman was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in the early hours of Saturday while allegedly preparing to leave Thailand. He has been charged in connection with the teenager’s death.
According to local and Australian media reports, Carman has denied the murder charge.
Investigation Began After Teenager Reported Missing
Pattaya City Police said the 17-year-old, identified in local media as Tunchanok Donhomla, was reported missing at approximately 5:00 p.m. local time on Friday.
In a statement posted on social media, police said investigators reviewed closed-circuit television footage that allegedly showed Carman entering a condominium with the teenager before later leaving alone while carrying a large suitcase.
Authorities alleged that the suspect transported the suitcase on a motorcycle before traveling toward a nearby railway line, where the body was later discovered during the early hours of Saturday.
Police said the victim’s body had been placed inside the suitcase before it was abandoned near the tracks.
Suspect Denies Charges
Thai police said Carman was detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday.
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According to media reports, he denied the murder allegation as well as additional charges related to concealing or moving a body and taking a minor for sexual purposes.
Reports said Carman claimed he had acted in self-defense. Authorities have not publicly confirmed further details regarding that claim, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Message to Victim’s Family
While in police custody, Carman recorded a video message addressed to the victim’s family.
“I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control,” he said.
He also stated, “I know you’ll be very sad, upset… same as me,” before urging other young women to “be careful.”
Those remarks reflect the suspect’s own statements and do not represent findings established by investigators or the court.
Family Seeks Justice
The victim’s father told local media he was deeply saddened by his daughter’s death.
Her stepmother said she hoped the suspect would face the full legal consequences if convicted.
Thai authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. The investigation remains active as prosecutors continue gathering evidence and legal proceedings move forward.
Tags: Thailand, Pattaya, Australia, Murder Investigation, Simon Peter Carman, Tunchanok Donhomla, Crime, Pattaya Police, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Criminal Investigation, Public Safety, Cross-Border Crime
