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4 clusters · 18 sources · 29 days · First seen · Last updated

Pattaya murder investigation of Thai teenager

Overview

Authorities in Pattaya, Thailand, are investigating the death of 17-year-old Tunchanok ‘Cake’ Donhomla, whose body was discovered inside a suitcase near railway tracks. An autopsy determined the cause of death was asphyxiation and noted the victim sustained brain injuries.

Police arrested 45-year-old Australian national Simon Peter Carman after matching DNA found on the victim to him. Carman faces several charges, including intentional murder, kidnapping of a minor for indecent purposes, and the concealment or movement of a corpse. He was intercepted by immigration officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport while attempting to board a flight to Australia.

Speaking from Pattaya Prison, Carman has pleaded not guilty to all counts. He has claimed the death was “unavoidable” and occurred during a struggle in which he acted in self-defence. In recent statements, he alleged that after a dispute over money, the teenager produced a knife, leading him to strangle her while attempting to restrain her. Carman further maintained that he believed the victim was between 20 and 30 years old and was unaware she was a minor. He admitted to placing her body in a suitcase and transporting it to a roadside location but denied killing her. He also claimed to have suffered physical assaults and significant weight loss while in custody.

Thai police investigations appear to contradict these claims. CCTV footage shows the pair walking hand-in-hand into Carman’s apartment complex, and he was later observed transporting a large suitcase via motorcycle. The victim's father, Thongchai Donhomla, has publicly rejected Carman's claims and apologies, calling for the accused to take full responsibility and stating the family intends to oppose any requests for Carman to be released on bail.

Entities

Simon Peter Carman · Pattaya · Tunchanok Donhomla · Thanchanok Donhomla · Thongchai Donhomla

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Australian man pleads not guilty to Thai teenager's murder

    Australian Simon Peter Carman pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old Thai girl in Pattaya, claiming self-defense after her body was found in a suitcase.

  2. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Australian suspect claims self-defense in Pattaya teen murder

    Australian Simon Peter Carman claims self-defense in the killing of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, while the victim's father rejects his apologies and demands accountability.

  3. [CRIME] 11 sources
    Simon Peter Carman denies murder of Thai teenager

    Australian Simon Peter Carman has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Thailand, claiming he acted in self-defence during a struggle.

  4. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Pattaya murder investigation: Australian man arrested after teen found in suitcase

    Thai authorities have arrested Australian Simon Peter Carman after 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was found dead in a suitcase in Pattaya. Carman faces murder and kidnapping charges.

Sources

americanindependent.com · communitynews.com.au · index.hr · jutarnji.hr · kurir.rs · nypost.com · podroze.onet.pl · smh.com.au · sportime.gr · srnnews.com · tanea.gr · theage.com.au · thenightly.com.au · thethaiger.com · thewest.com.au · vecernji.ba · wochenblitz.com · womensagenda.com.au

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history