Pattaya police say 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, found in a suitcase near a railway track, died from suffocation and that DNA on her body matched 45-year-old Australian national Simon Peter Carman. Carman faces four charges, including murder and kidnapping-related offences, after CCTV reportedly showed him leaving a condominium with a large suitcase. He denies the allegations and claims self-defence; police expect to file the case to prosecutors ahead of an 18 September indictment deadline. The victim's family has spoken of their grief and demand justice.
Thai Teen Found in Suitcase Died of Suffocation, Police Say — Australian Suspect Faces Murder Charges
Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, was allegedly murdered by 45-year-old Australian man Simon Peter Carman in June [Pattaya Police]
PATTAYA, Thailand — Thai police say a 17-year-old girl whose body was discovered inside a suitcase in Pattaya died from suffocation, and DNA recovered from the scene matched a 45-year-old Australian man now charged in the case.
Investigation and Forensic Findings
Pattaya City police have identified the victim as Tunchanok Donhomla, a 17-year-old who was found naked near a railway track in the early hours of 27 June. Police arrested Simon Peter Carman, 45, an Australian national, roughly 15 minutes before officers discovered the body. Authorities say he was allegedly "preparing to flee the country."
Pattaya City police chief Anek Srathongyoo told the BBC that the autopsy showed suffocation was the cause of death. He added that while the victim had sustained some brain injury, that trauma was not the cause of death and may have occurred after she died — possibly when the body was placed in the suitcase.
Police say DNA recovered from the victim matched Carman's profile and "likely came from when he put her body in the suitcase."
Charges and Evidence
Authorities have filed four charges against Carman: murder; concealing or moving a body; kidnapping a child older than 15 but under 18; and taking away a child in that age range for an indecent act. Police have released CCTV footage they say shows Carman entering a condominium with Tunchanok at 03:34 local time on 25 June and later leaving alone carrying a large suitcase. Investigators say footage also shows him loading the bag onto a motorbike and riding toward a nearby railway line.
Police told reporters they plan to submit the case file to prosecutors by Friday, and noted the deadline to indict Carman is 18 September.
Suspect's Statements and Family Reaction
Following his arrest, Carman denied the charges and claimed he acted in self-defence. According to police, he told investigators he had agreed to pay Tunchanok 1,000 baht (about $30) for sexual services but that the pair quarreled after he offered only 500 baht.
In a custody video, Carman addressed the victim's family: "I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control. I know you'll be very sad, upset… same [as] me. Please tell other girls… just to be careful."
Tunchanok, nicknamed Cake, was an only child from Kalasin province, about 480 km north-east of Pattaya. Her father, Thongchai Donhomla, told local media he was "deeply saddened" and described his daughter as independent and helpful. Her stepmother, Oradee Bussarakum, expressed grief and anger, saying the family wanted justice.
Legal note: If convicted of murder in Thailand, Carman could face the death penalty.
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