Australian Simon Peter Carman charged with murder in Thailand
Simon Peter Carman was intercepted at Bangkok's airport after the body of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was discovered near a railway line in Pattaya. Police are investigating the death, as Carman faces charges of murder, body concealment, and the abduction of a minor.
An Australian man has been charged with murder after the naked body of a 17-year-old Thai girl was discovered stuffed inside a suitcase near a railway line in Pattaya. Simon Peter Carman, 46, was intercepted by immigration officers at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday, 27 June 2026, as he allegedly attempted to board a flight to Perth.
The victim, Tunchanok Donhomla—known by the nickname Cake
—was an only child from Kalasin province who had traveled to Pattaya on 16 June. According to reporting from the Abc, she was reported missing by friends at 17:00 local time on Friday after they had not heard from her.
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The Police Investigation
Pattaya City police reconstructed the teenager's final movements using CCTV footage. Evidence allegedly shows Carman and Donhomla holding hands in a condominium lobby at 03:34 on Thursday, 25 June, before heading to the 15th floor. Police allege Carman picked up the teenager from the Beach Road vice strip in the early hours of that morning.
Footage from later that evening, between 9:25pm and 9:48pm, reportedly shows Carman dragging a black suitcase out of the building and loading it onto a motorbike. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that surveillance captured Carman returning to the complex without the suitcase between 9:57pm and 10:06pm.
Police later located the black suitcase near railway tracks in the Floating Market area of Pattaya, approximately 10 minutes' drive from the hotel. Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyoo, Superintendent of the Pattaya City Police Station, described the scene, stating the girl's face showed signs of severe assault with swelling and bruising, and blood was flowing from her mouth and nose.
Upon searching the hotel room, investigators reportedly found blood on the floor and Carman's passport, though the suspect had already departed for Bangkok. According to Arab Times, Carman provided information during questioning that helped police locate the suitcase.
Conflicting Accounts and Defense
Carman has denied the murder charges, though his statements to police have varied. In some accounts reported by the BBC, he claimed Donhomla simply disappeared from the room
while he was asleep and that he was unaware of anything.
However, Arab Times reports that Carman later admitted to a struggle, claiming self-defense. He allegedly told investigators he met the girl at 3 a.m. On 25 June and invited her to his rented condominium. He alleged a heated argument ensued over money; while media reports state he agreed to pay 1,000 baht for services, he reportedly offered only 500 baht.
Police have expressed skepticism regarding the self-defense claim. Colonel Sarathongyoo noted that Carman has fingernail scratches across his body consistent with a struggle. In video footage, Carman attributed these marks to spiders, stating, I think it's a spider; they always get in here.
Victim's Family and Legal Standing
The tragedy has left Donhomla's family devastated. Her father, Thongchai Donhomla, 46, told reporters he was deeply saddened, noting his daughter had no mother and always helped him. Her stepmother, Oradee Bussarakum, told the BBC that she wants Carman executed, adding, I even asked the police if I could hit him, if I could beat him.
In a recorded message to the family, Carman said:
"I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control. I know you’ll be very sad, upset. Same, same me. It shouldn’t happen. I hope you’re OK – I know you’re not – but I hope and tell other girls just to be … careful …"
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Thailand, but has declined further comment due to privacy obligations.
Case Summary and Next Steps
| Charge | Details / Potential Penalty |
|---|---|
| Murder | Intentional killing; carries death penalty or life imprisonment (or 15-20 years) |
| Concealment of a Body | Moving or destroying a corpse to hide the cause of death |
| Abduction of a Minor | Taking a person aged 15-18 for indecent purposes |
What happens next:
- Carman is currently held in detention in Pattaya.
- Carman will appear in court at a date yet to be determined.
