The father of a 17-year-old Thai girl allegedly murdered and stuffed into a suitcase by an Australian man has rejected claims that the killing was an act of self-defense. Simon Peter Carman, 45, a truck driver from Perth, spoke from behind bars to protest his innocence in the death of Tunchanok Donhomla, also known as Cake.
Donhomla's naked body was discovered inside a black suitcase near railway tracks on the outskirts of Pattaya on June 27. She was last seen on CCTV in the foyer of Carman's condominium complex two days prior. Carman was apprehended at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport as he attempted to board a flight back to Perth.
In an interview set to air on ABC's Foreign Correspondent, Carman stated that Donhomla attacked him with a knife during a dispute over money. He also offered his condolences to the victim's family. Tunchanok's father, Thongchai Donhomla, responded with anger to these statements.
"I don’t want to hear his apology," Thongchai Donhomla told Seven News. "If he is truly a man, then if he has done something, he should have the courage to accept responsibility for it." He vowed to seek justice for his daughter and intends to oppose Carman's bail application at his first court appearance.
Carman described the incident to ABC from Pattaya Remand Prison, alleging he repeatedly asked Donhomla to drop a knife during a physical struggle before she became unresponsive. "I feel deeply sad. I obviously wish that it did not happen, but it was unavoidable," he said. "All I was trying to do is restrain her from stabbing me."
He claimed he was unaware Donhomla was a minor, stating she followed him back to his accommodation. "I honestly do not know why she followed me home," Carman added.
Carman is facing charges including murder, concealing and moving a body, and taking a minor aged between 15 and 18 for sexual purposes. "I am hoping and praying that I can get released, if not on bail, because I have done nothing wrong," he said. "I have not done anything wrong. I shouldn't be here… I do not understand what's going on."
He also indicated that he has not yet secured legal representation and that visitors from the Australian embassy have been his only contacts. Pattaya City Police Colonel Anek Srathongyoo stated that an autopsy revealed Donhomla suffered a brain injury and suffocated, with no other injuries. DNA evidence collected from Carman matched DNA found on Donhomla.
Prosecutors have until September 18 to indict Carman. Nine days before her death, Donhomla had traveled from her home in northern Thailand to Pattaya for a holiday. She had met Carman on Jomtien Beach on June 25 and given him her address. A friend reported her missing the following day and later confronted Carman at his condo. By that time, police allege, Carman had already suffocated Donhomla and placed her body in a suitcase a short distance away.
Convictions for murder in Thailand can carry the death penalty or sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years in prison.