Police in the seaside city of Pattaya announced that 17‑year‑old Tunchanok Donhomla was found dead inside a suitcase near a railway track on 27 June. Autopsy reports confirmed suffocation as the cause of death, and a brain injury was identified but was not fatal.
The body was located only fifteen minutes after authorities arrested 45‑year‑old Australian national Simon Peter Carman, who was allegedly preparing to flee the country. Policing officials released CCTV footage that showed Carman transporting a large suitcase from his condominium at 03:34 local time on 25 June and driving it toward the railway line.
DNA found on Tunchanok’s body matched that of Carman, suggesting he placed the body inside the suitcase. Police are pressing four charges against him: murder, concealing or moving the body, kidnapping a minor over 15 years old, and sex‑related offenses involving a minor.
Carman initially admitted to taking Tunchanok out of the country but denied murder, claiming self‑defence. He also attempted to justify the crime as a “deal” for sexual services, stating that the parties had made a youthful agreement that was later disputed.
The case will be filed with prosecutors by the end of this week, with a 18 September deadline to formally indict Carman. He could face the death penalty if convicted of murder.
Tunchanok, also known as “Cake,” had left her home in Kalasin province to visit Pattaya on 16 June. Her parents, father Thongchai Donhomla and step‑mother Oradee Bussarakum, express profound grief and demand immediate justice. Others have taken to social media to warn other teens about the dangers of sex‑trade scams.
Follow the investigation for updates as police and courts work toward a resolution. For more on the case and how it reflects wider safety concerns in Thailand, stay tuned here at Civitas Global.
