An Australian man, Simon Peter Carman, 45, has been charged with murder in Thailand following the discovery of the body of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla. Carman was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Perth.
Hours before Carman's arrest on Friday, an unnamed friend of Ms. Donhomla visited Carman's condominium in Jomtien after reporting the teenager's disappearance to police. Ms. Donhomla had reportedly given friends Carman's address after they met on Jomtien Beach earlier that Thursday. The friend's visit to the cluttered condo yielded no sign of Ms. Donhomla, who had allegedly already been strangled to death by Carman.
Police allege Carman placed Ms. Donhomla's body into a black suitcase and dumped it in long grass near railway tracks outside Pattaya on Thursday night. Her body was discovered on Friday night. An autopsy confirmed she died from strangulation.
Ms. Donhomla, who was on holiday in Pattaya, had arrived in Thailand only nine days prior to her death. Friends described her as well-behaved, friendly, but timid.
Carman, originally from Perth, has been charged with murder, concealing and moving a body, and taking a minor aged between 15 and 18 for sexual purposes. He denies the allegations, claiming he acted in self-defence after Ms. Donhomla allegedly attacked him with a knife during an argument over money. In taped interviews released by police, Carman expressed regret, stating, "I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control."
Carman reportedly rented his unit at the Rimhad condominium for eight months. His landlord described him as appearing to lead a normal life, engaging in activities like swimming and eating at restaurants. However, photos of the unit showed piles of clothing, empty alcohol bottles, and a generally untidy state.
Witnesses reported seeing Carman with another woman at a bar before leaving alone at 1 am on the night Ms. Donhomla was last seen. Another witness alleged Carman had approached Ms. Donhomla and friends on a beachside street later that night. CCTV footage has captured Ms. Donhomla with Carman shortly before her death.
Carman is currently in custody at Pattaya Remand Prison, undergoing a mandatory quarantine period. A court appearance date has not yet been set. A murder conviction in Thailand carries a potential death penalty or a sentence of 15 to 20 years imprisonment. If convicted, he could be transferred to Bang Kwang Central Prison, known as the "Bangkok Hilton."