An Australian man has been charged with the murder of a 17-year-old Thai girl whose naked body was discovered in a suitcase in Pattaya, Thailand. Simon Peter Carman, 46, was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport on Friday evening in connection with the disappearance of Tunchanok Donhomla.
Charges and Denial
Pattaya City police have laid three charges against Carman: murder, concealing a corpse to hide the cause of death, and abduction of a minor over 15 but under 18 for indecent purposes. Carman has denied all charges, according to police. In video footage obtained by the ABC and other media, Carman stated that what occurred was "out of my control." Local Thai media reported that the alleged crime began with a disagreement over money.
Discovery of the Body
After questioning Carman in the early hours of Saturday morning, local police in Pattaya found a naked body in a suitcase near railway tracks, which they identified as Donhomla. CCTV footage, verified by police, allegedly shows Carman and Donhomla holding hands in a condo lobby while waiting for an elevator shortly after 3.30am on Thursday. Later footage from between 9.25pm and 9.48pm allegedly shows Carman dragging the suitcase out of the building and leaving on a motorbike with it strapped behind him, returning without the suitcase between 9.57pm and 10.06pm.
Statements and Evidence
In videos taken while in custody, Carman addressed the victim's family: "I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control." He added, "I hope you – I know you'll be very sad, upset. Same, same me. It shouldn't happen. I hope you're OK – I know you're not – but I hope and tell other girls just to be … careful …" The footage appears to show scratch marks on Carman's upper arms and neck, which he described as spider bites: "I think it's a spider; they always get in here."
Legal Proceedings
The local Thairath news website reported that Carman pleaded not guilty to police, claiming he acted in self-defence, which resulted in Donhomla's death. Thairath reported that a struggle ensued due to a disagreement over the charge for Donhomla's time. In Thailand's criminal code, a murder conviction can carry the death penalty or between 15 and 20 years' imprisonment. Carman remained in custody at Pattaya City court on Sunday and will appear in court at a date to be determined.
Victim's Family Reaction
The victim's father, Thongchai Donhomla, 46, expressed his grief to Reuters: "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."
