PATTAYA, Thailand, June 28 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The family of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla is mourning her death after her body was discovered inside a suitcase, leading to the arrest of a 45-year-old Australian tourist. Simon Peter Carman was taken into custody by Thai police at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok as he attempted to board a flight to Australia. Authorities have since charged him with several offenses, including murder and the concealment of a body.
The sequence of events began when CCTV footage captured Carman entering a condominium complex with Tunchanok at approximately 3:30 AM on Thursday. Security cameras later showed the suspect leaving the building alone at 9:34 PM that evening while dragging a large black suitcase.
Police reports indicate that Carman loaded the luggage onto a motorcycle and traveled to a secluded grassy area near a railway line in Pattaya. Officers located the victim’s body at 11:00 PM on Friday, following an investigation that utilized GPS data from a rented motorcycle and detailed surveillance footage.
Upon his arrest, Carman was transferred to the Pattaya Provincial Court to face four formal charges. These include intentional murder, concealment of a body, moving or destroying a body to hide a death, and taking a minor for sexual or indecent purposes.
While in police custody, Carman recorded a video message addressed to the family of the deceased.
During the recording, he stated, “I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control.”
Carman initially claimed the incident occurred accidentally during a confrontation and alleged that he acted in self-defense following a dispute over money. However, investigators have stated that forensic evidence, including autopsy findings and surveillance data, contradicts his account. Police also noted visible scratch marks on the suspect’s neck and arms at the time of his detention.
The victim’s father, Thongchai Donhomla, expressed profound grief, describing his daughter as a hardworking individual who often provided support for the family. The family remains devastated by the sudden loss of the teenager.
Oradee Bussarakum, the victim’s stepmother, has publicly urged the judicial system to impose the maximum penalty available under Thai law. She stated that she wanted the suspect to face the full consequences of his actions for the crime committed against the teenager.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to the citizen detained in Thailand. Authorities have not yet disclosed the date for the initial court appearance.
