In a chilling development, Pattaya police have confirmed that a 17‑year‑old Thai girl was dead when her body was discovered in a suitcase near railway tracks on June 27. The autopsy results, released Wednesday, indicate the teenager died from suffocation. The body’s DNA matched that of 45‑year‑old Australian Simon Peter Carman, who had been arrested minutes earlier for allegedly preparing to flee the country.
Carman faces four charges: murder, concealing or moving the body, kidnapping a child between 15 and 18, and taking a child for an indecent act. Police say they have gathered extensive evidence, including CCTV footage showing Carman entering his condominium with the victim at 03:34 on June 25 and later carrying a large suitcase to the rail line. He has denied the charges, claiming self‑defence, and reportedly offered a reduced payment for sexual services to the victim.
Family members have expressed profound grief. Tunchanok’s father, Thongchai Donhomla, said his daughter “had no mother” and carried herself with strength. The step‑mother, Oradee Bussarakum, called for justice, expressing that she would have wanted to beat the suspect. If convicted, Carman could face Thailand’s death penalty.
