Australian Man Accused of Murder in Thailand Claims Self-Defense
Simon Peter Carman, facing charges including murder after a teen's body was found in a suitcase, asserts he acted in self-defense and was unaware of the victim's age.
A 45-year-old Australian man, Simon Peter Carman, has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder in Thailand, claiming he acted in self-defense. Carman is accused of killing 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, whose body was discovered stuffed inside a suitcase in Pattaya in June.
Prosecutors allege Carman picked up Donhomla for sex, strangled her in his apartment, and then continued his day, even texting another sex worker while the victim's body remained hidden. He faces additional charges of concealing and moving a body, and abducting a minor for indecent purposes.
Carman maintains that Donhomla produced a knife and that he was unaware of her true age. In a message to Donhomla's parents, Carman expressed remorse, stating that what happened was "out of my control."
Police allege that after strangling Donhomla, Carman kept her body in his apartment for 18 hours. He was arrested in Bangkok as he attempted to leave the country. Donhomla's body was found two days after her death in a suitcase abandoned near a railway track.
Sources have suggested that Carman frequently brought young Thai women to his apartment. Donhomla's stepmother has expressed a desire for Carman to face the death penalty, stating, "I told the police I want him executed."
The court denied Carman bail, citing him as a flight risk. He remains in custody awaiting further proceedings.