In brief
Police in Pattaya say a 17‑year‑old girl, Tunchanok Donhomla, died from suffocation after her body was discovered in a suitcase near a railway track on June 27. DNA evidence places the suspect, 45‑year‑old Simon Peter Carman, on the scene, as he was arrested hours earlier for attempting to flee the country. Autosopsy and forensic findings confirm the cause of death was suffocation, with brain injury noted but not fatal, and tie the suitcase to Carman’s transport of the body. He faces murder, body concealment, and kidnapping charges, and could be sentenced to death if convicted. The case has stirred outcry from the family, who demand justice, and authorities are preparing proceedings due to the September indictment deadline.
Police in Pattaya, Thailand, say a 17‑year‑old girl was found dead in a suitcase on June 27, with the coroner ruling suffocation as the cause of death.
The victim, Tunchanok Donhomla, was discovered naked near a railway track, and her body was placed in a retired suitcase, prompting immediate suspicion of foul play.
Authorities arrest a 45‑year‑old Australian, Simon Peter Carman, on the same day for allegedly preparing to flee the country. A forensic analysis later linked DNA from the suspect to the girl, suggesting he handled her body before it was dumped in the suitcase.
The local chief, Anek Srathongyoo, confirmed that the girl suffered some brain injury after death, possibly from the handling of the suitcase, but the primary cause of death remains suffocation. He emphasised that the evidence ties Carman to the murder, body concealment, kidnapping and child abduction charges.
Carman initially refused to deny the charges but has since denied any wrongdoing, claiming self‑defence. He recorded a video in police custody trying to convey regret to the family and advising other teens to be cautious.
Assault, body disposal and forced abduction led police to press four charges: murder, concealment, kidnapping of a minor over 15, and taking a child for an indecent act.
Child advocates and Donhomla’s family demanded that the suspect be punished severely, with the mother of Tunchanok expressing a fervent desire for execution should the court find him guilty.
If convicted, Carman faces the death penalty under Thai law.
Police are preparing the case for prosecutors by Friday with the prosecutorial deadline set for September 18.
Witness CCTV footage shows Carman entering a condominium with Donhomla at 3:34 a.m. on June 25 and later driving away with a large suitcase, loading it onto a motorbike toward the railway line.
She had travelled to Pattaya on June 16 for a holiday with a friend and was an only child who lived with her father and step‑mother in Kalasin province. Her father expressed deep sadness following the tragic loss.
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