Harrowing new details have surfaced regarding a Thai teenager's final promise to her family before she was allegedly murdered by an Australian man. Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, was found dead inside a suitcase near railway tracks outside Pattaya on June 26. Simon Peter Carman, 45, from Perth, has been charged with murder and remains in custody.
Carman was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport shortly before attempting to board a flight to Perth. Nine days prior to her death, Ms. Donhomla had traveled from her home in northern Thailand to Pattaya, reportedly to see the beach and with a vow to return soon.
In her village, Ms. Donhomla was described as a dutiful teenager who frequently cared for her baby cousin, Wayu. She had promised to bring back clothes for him from her trip. Her father, Thongchai Donhomla, told The Age that his daughter also worked washing dishes to help support their struggling family. He recalled her fondness for make-up and dresses, often teasing him when he called her 'dinosaur' in reference to her clothing choices.
Ms. Donhomla, who had experienced school bullying and had few friends, was sometimes called 'Dukdik' by her father, a Thai term for someone restless. She reportedly met Carman on Jomtien Beach in the early hours of June 25. Her friends became concerned when she did not return home and reported her missing the following day. A friend later confronted Carman at his condominium.
By the time of the confrontation, Carman had allegedly strangled Ms. Donhomla and disposed of her body in a suitcase. He faces charges including murder, concealing and moving a body, and taking a minor aged between 15 and 18 for sexual purposes. Carman claims he acted in self-defense, stating Ms. Donhomla attacked him with a knife during a dispute over money.
His father expressed distress over police reports suggesting his daughter may have agreed to engage in sexual services with Carman. The family has refused any compensation deal that could reduce Carman's sentence under Thai law, with Mr. Donhomla stating he wants the legal process to proceed and would not trade his daughter's dignity for money.
Carman has been remanded in custody for 84 days, the maximum period before indictment. A murder conviction in Thailand can carry the death penalty or a prison sentence of 15 to 20 years. Carman is currently held at Pattaya Remand Prison.