An Australian accused of murdering a 17-year-old Thai girl in Pattaya has been described by neighbours as “abnormal” as further details emerged about the events leading up to the alleged killing.
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Simon Peter Carman, 45, is being held in Pattaya Prison after the body of Tunchanok Donhomla, known as “Nong Cake”, was found naked inside a suitcase abandoned near railway tracks. Thai police have charged him with murder, concealing a body, moving a body and offences relating to a minor. Carman denies killing the teenager and claims he acted in self-defence after allegedly being attacked with a knife.
According to investigators, Carman and Tunchanok met on Pattaya Beach Road, an area known locally as Coconut Bar, during the early hours, before returning to his condominium. Police allege the pair had agreed on a payment of 1,000 baht, but an argument broke out after Carman allegedly offered only 500 baht. CCTV reportedly shows the pair entering the condominium together before later capturing Carman wheeling a black suitcase from the building, securing it to a motorbike and riding away. The suitcase was later found in long grass beside railway tracks around ten minutes from his condominium.
Neighbours at the Rimhad Jomtien Condominium, where Carman had lived for about eight months, described him as a quiet resident who worked as a handyman and at a local bar. One resident told Australian media he “speaks slowly and looks at things for a long time” and appeared “a bit abnormal”, but said he was not known to be aggressive. Others said he usually kept to himself, spent time swimming, walking along the beach and carrying out maintenance work, and rarely brought visitors back to his room.
Police arrested Carman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport shortly before he was due to board a flight to Perth. During recorded police interviews, he expressed sympathy to Tunchanok’s family, saying: “I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control.” When asked directly if he had killed the teenager, he replied: “No.” He also claimed scratches and bruises on his body were caused by spiders at his condominium.
Tunchanok’s parents travelled from Kalasin province to collect their daughter’s remains. Her father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was deeply saddened, while her stepmother, Oradee Bussarakum, said she wanted the accused to receive the death penalty. The family said the teenager had only arrived in Pattaya days before her death and that it was her first visit to the city.
The Daily Mall reported that The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the Australian national. Carman remains in custody while Thai authorities continue their investigation and prepare the case for court. If convicted of murder in Thailand, he could face the death penalty.
Picture courtesy of Daily Mail
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 29 June 2026