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Aussie Faces Murder Charges in Pattaya

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.

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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 and had kept in touch daily until she disappeared.

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.

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Picture courtesy of Daily Mail

Related story

Australian-arrested-at-bangkok-airport-over-Pattaya-murder

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ujay Apprentice Member

ujay

Member

Give him the injection👍

baansgr Platinum Member

baansgr

Advanced Member
5 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

The father was interviewed, saying that she helped him out. This is the part of Thai society that pisses me off to no end. Parents who don't do squat for their kids but expect the kids to help them. You let your 17 yr old daughter go to Pattaya alone. Who does that?

There are some that actively encourage their 14 year old daughters to go Koh Samui.

boldface Advanced Member

boldface

Member

So I wonder how much this will be settled for? 2 million THB? Wonder if he has family that can raise the $90kAUD they will need?

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/simon-peter-carman-australian-tourist-arrested-in-pattaya-over-suitcase-murder-of-thai-teenager-family-demands-death-penalty/news-story/1fe5423adaa2aca19e2fad4accdd24b4

Some how I doubt it. I don't think they will execute him though - just a long prison sentence and deported when people have forgotten about him

jts-khorat Gold Member

jts-khorat

Advanced Member
On 6/29/2026 at 11:28 AM, save the frogs said:

So she was killed over an argument over 500 Baht.

For her, it's a lot maybe.

For him, how much is that in Aussie dollars?

One of the most tragic stories in a long time, killing someone over a pittance.

It is already suggested that this was not his first victim, there were more girls stuffed in suitcases over the last months.

Which means, this was NOT a killing over some disagreement over money, but something a lot more sinister.

Andrew65 Platinum Member

Andrew65

Advanced Member
9 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

So if we take this at face value, the perp killed the girl over 500 baht?

So the poor girl is murdered, only 17 and the Aussie is probably gonna spend the rest of his life in prison at best?

He should of given here the 1000 baht!!

I lived there for 20 years and suspected that many men do this. Promise a certain amount of cash and then 'stiff' them when payment is due. For example promise 2,500 Baht and then only pay 1,500-2,000 after. Pattaya is probably a cheap-charlie-magnet.

scubascuba3 Star Member

scubascuba3

Advanced Member
8 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

I lived there for 20 years and suspected that many men do this. Promise a certain amount of cash and then 'stiff' them when payment is due. For example promise 2,500 Baht and then only pay 1,500-2,000 after. Pattaya is probably a cheap-charlie-magnet.

There was that Canadian Harris Black, used to take money out of their purse when they were in the shower then pay them with it

Ralf001 Star Member

Ralf001

Advanced Member
4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

There was that Canadian Harris Black, used to take money out of their purse when they were in the shower then pay them with it

He is a creppy Mofo.

I had a medical episode back around 2014, He showed up to the ICU room and start chatting... took a couple of pics of me and left.

Fecks me how he was allowed in as he definately was not family or friend.

dinsdale Star Member

dinsdale

Advanced Member
9 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Was she attempting blackmail due to her age? Or was he trying to be a sleazebag and short change her?

Was she out to rob him and pulled a knife on him and he responded physically (hit her head on something hard maybe?) and she died and he panicked. I posted early on in this thread he seems a few snags short of the barbie. Questions need to be considered by the jump to conclusions death penalty lot on here. Why was a 17 year old going back to a room with him at 2 in the morning? Where did they meet? Do you believe the innocent girl line? He killed her, yes, but are we being told the whole story.

Andrew65 Platinum Member

Andrew65

Advanced Member
34 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

There was that Canadian Harris Black, used to take money out of their purse when they were in the shower then pay them with it

When I used to take bar girls quite often I had a rule whereby when I went for the obligatory shower I would undress in the bathroom on the basis that there was a big roll of cash in my shorts pocket.

dinsdale Star Member

dinsdale

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, jts-khorat said:

It is already suggested that this was not his first victim, there were more girls stuffed in suitcases over the last months.

Which means, this was NOT a killing over some disagreement over money, but something a lot more sinister.

By suggested what do you mean? Online rumour perhaps?

dinsdale Star Member

dinsdale

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, baansgr said:

You let your 17 yr old daughter go to Pattaya alone. Who does that?

Let or sent? If it's sent then this would by far not be an isolated incedent.

Evil Penevil Gold Member

Evil Penevil

Advanced Member
35 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

I lived there for 20 years and suspected that many men do this. Promise a certain amount of cash and then 'stiff' them when payment is due. For example promise 2,500 Baht and then only pay 1,500-2,000 after. Pattaya is probably a cheap-charlie-magnet.

Screenshot 2026-06-30 8.03.16 AM.png Bullseye! You are absolutely correct.

"Cutting" the girls'compensation used to be more common than it is today, but it is still standard procedure for some Pattaya residents. Going back 25 years or so to the early days of the Thai sexpat boards, there were many posts about how to cheat the girls out of part or all of their fees.

Most posters opposed such suggestions, but a sizeable minority enthusiastically endorsed them. Some continue to believe it's entirely OK to pay the girls less than agreed and anyone who doesn't is spoiling the girls. The "cheap Charlie" mindset took firm hold in Pattaya.

The Canadian whose hair is black had a hungry little sidekick and the two of them functioned as the ideological inspiration for the cheap Charlie crowd. They once had a strong following on the punter boards. I could name the sidekick, but I don't want to gab or someone might flame me.

In time, the influence of the most prolific cheap Charlie posters has waned, but unfortunately it lives on to some degree.

vangrop Silver Member

vangrop

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

He is a creppy Mofo.

I had a medical episode back around 2014, He showed up to the ICU room and start chatting... took a couple of pics of me and left.

Fecks me how he was allowed in as he definately was not family or friend.

He probably tried to steal your wallet or some other valuable item. Always be wary of such people, especially if you're in a vulnerable position. How is it possible they let him in? Didn't you file a complaint with management?

TedG Ruby Member

TedG

Advanced Member
4 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

Screenshot 2026-06-30 8.03.16 AM.png Bullseye! You are absolutely correct.

"Cutting" the girls'compensation used to be more common than it is today, but it is still standard procedure for some Pattaya residents. Going back 25 years or so to the early days of the Thai sexpat boards, there were many posts about how to cheat the girls out of part or all of their fees.

Most posters opposed such suggestions, but a sizeable minority enthusiastically endorsed them. Some continue to believe it's entirely OK to pay the girls less than agreed and anyone who doesn't is spoiling the girls. The "cheap Charlie" mindset took firm hold in Pattaya.

The Canadian whose hair is black had a hungry little sidekick and the two of them functioned as the ideological inspiration for the cheap Charlie crowd. They once had a strong following on the punter boards. I could name the sidekick, but I don't want to gab or someone might flame me.

In time, the influence of the most prolific cheap Charlie posters has waned, but unfortunately it lives on to some degree.

People really brag about cheating the girls? What slimly low life group of people.

Evil Penevil Gold Member

Evil Penevil

Advanced Member
2 minutes ago, TedG said:

People really brag about cheating the girls? What slimly low life group of people.

It used to be very common, but it's become less frequent on social media. However, the mindset that it's something positive and even commendable to cheat a working girl is still there.

dinsdale Star Member

dinsdale

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, jts-khorat said:

It is already suggested that this was not his first victim, there were more girls stuffed in suitcases over the last months.

Which means, this was NOT a killing over some disagreement over money, but something a lot more sinister.

As per my post above there's no evidence. Perhaps you meant to say which may mean, could mean, possibly means, might mean, maybe it means but there's no evidential link etc. rather than "Which means."

Somjot Gold Member

Somjot

Advanced Member

Some women who have been working in Pattaya for a longer time told me that they avoided the sick Australian because he was known for choking girls during sex.

17-year-old Tunchanok knew nothing about this when she trustingly accompanied him to his room.

Maybe something went very wrong and it cost her her life.

However, I hope he gets the death penalty for it and has to suffer for years in a Thai prison beforehand, because once the other inmates find out what he is in prison for, he will beg for his execution every single day.

17 years old, just a kid, horrific, but at least her murderer has to face justice in court.

Unfortunately, in times like these, far too many child murderers get away unpunished.

Ralf001 Star Member

Ralf001

Advanced Member
6 minutes ago, Somjot said:

Some women who have been working in Pattaya for a longer time told me that they avoided the sick Australian because he was known for choking girls during sex.

Have you been out an about asking these random women for their opinions on the guy in the past few days ?

Rockyroad Platinum Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
13 minutes ago, Somjot said:

Some women who have been working in Pattaya for a longer time told me that they avoided the sick Australian because he was known for choking girls during sex.

Nice company you keep.

ericthai Platinum Member

ericthai

Advanced Member
9 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Posters are making up the chopped up theory. Strange people.

They're not strange.

Unfortunately, Thailand has had multiple murder cases over the years where victims were dismembered and their remains were concealed in suitcases or luggage before being dumped.

It's rare, but it's happened enough that many people remember those cases.

In fact, Thai police have said they're comparing this latest case to earlier unsolved murders with similar circumstances.

So people mentioning it aren't being "strange"—they're recalling previous crimes that actually occurred.

Will27 Diamond Member

Will27

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, Dogmatix said:

No doubt immigration charges for overstaying will also follow in due course and charges for working without WP and doing jobs reserved for Yhais - working as a labourer and in a retail business.

Immigration knows when people overstay visas. With AI they should be able to do a better job at tracking them down. He obviously rented a room and had an owned or rented bike, probably both in his name.

From the tattoos on her upper body the victim didn’t look like she had only just arrived in Pattaya for the first time but she didn’t deserve to die a horrible death, whatever she was up to.

Unless I've missed something, what has this case got to do about visa overstaying?

Rockyroad Platinum Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
11 minutes ago, ericthai said:

They're not strange.

Unfortunately, Thailand has had multiple murder cases over the years where victims were dismembered and their remains were concealed in suitcases or luggage before being dumped.

It's rare, but it's happened enough that many people remember those cases.

In fact, Thai police have said they're comparing this latest case to earlier unsolved murders with similar circumstances.

So people mentioning it aren't being "strange"—they're recalling previous crimes that actually occurred.

So they are confused between a June 2026 case and cases from previous years. Maybe they should read the current story and then they won't be so confused and wrong.

Hanaguma Ruby Member

Hanaguma

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Was she out to rob him and pulled a knife on him and he responded physically (hit her head on something hard maybe?) and she died and he panicked. I posted early on in this thread he seems a few snags short of the barbie. Questions need to be considered by the jump to conclusions death penalty lot on here. Why was a 17 year old going back to a room with him at 2 in the morning? Where did they meet? Do you believe the innocent girl line? He killed her, yes, but are we being told the whole story.

I dont buy the "he panicked" theory. He kept her body in his room all the next day, in the bath. Would a panicked man do that? He is also on the condo CCTV carrying on as normal- doing laundry, getting food, etc. Again, not things a person would do in a panic. Then, the very deliberate coverup and attempted hiding of the victim's body. All point to deliberate actions.

Rockyroad Platinum Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
22 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

I dont buy the "he panicked" theory. He kept her body in his room all the next day, in the bath. Would a panicked man do that? He is also on the condo CCTV carrying on as normal- doing laundry, getting food, etc. Again, not things a person would do in a panic. Then, the very deliberate coverup and attempted hiding of the victim's body. All point to deliberate actions.

He showed no remorse or emotions in the interview. The guy is sick. Bullet in the head and move on.

Chutney Advanced Member

Chutney

Member
4 hours ago, jts-khorat said:

It is already suggested that this was not his first victim, there were more girls stuffed in suitcases over the last months.

Which means, this was NOT a killing over some disagreement over money, but something a lot more sinister.

Doesn't seem to be the same. The other 2 are very similar to each other though. Weighed down with heavy barbell weights and dumped in water in both cases. I victim 30+ foreign not Thai and unidentified, The other late 20s. Possibly news coverage of those crimes gave him the idea to use the suitcase to move her body. in all 3 cases victims clothes and belongings were in the cases with them. That's all.

Somjot Gold Member

Somjot

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

Have you been out an about asking these random women for their opinions on the guy in the past few days ?

Not specifically and they weren´t random.

As you can imagine the whole story is talk of the town right now. Living in Pattaya I have a few “regulars” whom I meet occasionally, and they told me about the guy`s “preferences”.

However, I think I made it fully clear that this is only hearsay.

But so is the “agreed 1000,- paid only 500” story, which I guess was told to the police by the murderer himself.

ericthai Platinum Member

ericthai

Advanced Member
36 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

So they are confused between a June 2026 case and cases from previous years. Maybe they should read the current story and then they won't be so confused and wrong.

I'm not saying they are confused between cases, what i was saying it wasn't a "strange" idea for people to start thinking about the body being chopped up as it has been the case several times in the past.

I know that isn't what happened here, but for people to speculate she was chopped up has merit.

Rockyroad Platinum Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
4 minutes ago, ericthai said:

I'm not saying they are confused between cases, what i was saying it wasn't a "strange" idea for people to start thinking about the body being chopped up as it has been the case several times in the past.

I know that isn't what happened here, but for people to speculate she was chopped up has merit.

They did not read the story then made up a theory without evidence. Explains why we have such bad politicians.

Somjot Gold Member

Somjot

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

Nice company you keep.

What is the reason for this sarcasm?

I merely passed on information that I had heard, and furthermore mentioned the source of this information, which should make it clear to anyone that I make no claim as to its veracity.

Do I now have to justify my acquaintances to you?

Rockyroad Platinum Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
3 minutes ago, Somjot said:

What is the reason for this sarcasm?

I merely passed on information that I had heard, and furthermore mentioned the source of this information, which should make it clear to anyone that I make no claim as to its veracity.

Do I now have to justify my acquaintances to you?

I stay away from Patts. It attracts crims daily.

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