Australian truck driver Simon Carman, 45, could receive a substantially reduced prison sentence if he is convicted of murdering Thai teenager Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, in Pattaya and reaches a compensation agreement with her family under Thai law. Carman is being held at Pattaya Remand Prison after being charged with murder following the discovery of the teenager’s body, concealed in a suitcase left in long grass near railway tracks.

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Carman, from Perth’s southern suburbs, was arrested at Bangkok’s main international airport, while police alleged he was preparing to leave Thailand on a flight to Australia. He denies murdering Tunchanok, known as Cake, and claims he acted in self-defence. Police have said their investigation remains ongoing.

According to police sources cited by the Daily Mail, discussions over financial compensation for the victim’s parents, Thongchai Donhomla and Oradee Bussarakum, are expected to form part of the legal process. The sources stressed that compensation does not prevent prosecution, but may be considered by the court alongside a guilty plea and expressions of remorse when deciding any sentence.

One police source said the family could be asked what level of compensation they would accept, with negotiations continuing until an agreement is reached. The source gave one million baht, about AU$43,000, as an example figure, noting it represents around eight years’ wages for someone earning the provincial minimum wage per day.

The same source claimed that a guilty plea could reduce a sentence by 50 per cent, while a compensation agreement accepted by the victim’s family could carry significant weight during sentencing. They suggested that, in such circumstances, a convicted offender could potentially be released after as little as seven years. Under Thai law, however, compensation alone does not guarantee a reduced sentence, with the final decision resting with the court.

Prison officials told the Daily Mail that Carman has shown no visible emotion since his arrest and has not received visits from family, friends or members of the local expatriate community. He has been transferred to the hospital wing of Pattaya Remand Prison and is being housed separately from the main prison population for safety reasons.

The Daily Mall reported that authorities said Carman can be held at Pattaya Remand Prison for up to 84 days while detectives continue gathering evidence. Police have stated that he is cooperating with the investigation.

Pictures courtesy of Daily Mail

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 4 July 2026

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I don't know who's more evil..... the Aussie Brit, or the parents who sent her to "work"

It is reported Carman entered Thailand on a tourist visa which he then extended which means he had to show 20K baht.

Where would he get the funds to compensate ?

Win the Thai lottery ?

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I see a new Go Fund Me starting soon....

This is described across several media while not the whole picture would not be unusual for any young girl growing up poor in Isaan:

Ms Oradee said her stepdaughter went to Pattaya on June 16, telling them she wanted to go for a holiday with her friend.

"She asked for money from her grandmother and she gave her some," Ms Oradee said.

"She said she wanted to see the sea."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-28/australian-man-charged-with-thai-teens-murder-addresses-family/106852274

4 minutes ago, JerryM said:

This is described across several media while not the whole picture would not be unusual for any young girl growing up poor in Isaan:

Ms Oradee said her stepdaughter went to Pattaya on June 16, telling them she wanted to go for a holiday with her friend.

"She asked for money from her grandmother and she gave her some," Ms Oradee said.

"She said she wanted to see the sea."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-28/australian-man-charged-with-thai-teens-murder-addresses-family/106852274

yea, she may well have said she wanted to see the sea, but how many parents really know what their teenage children are getting up to? mine certainly didn't.

4 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

yea, she may well have said she wanted to see the sea, but how many parents really know what their teenage children are getting up to? mine certainly didn't.

I'll leave the sociological analysis to others. I am really just interested in the case and why the guy hung around until the friend showed up before making a dash to the airport.

1 hour ago, Celsius said:

I don't know who's more evil..... the Aussie Brit, or the parents who sent her to "work"

I know who is evil - the scumbab that murdered this young girl

sounds like you are trying to justify this evil scums actions.......really ?

he murdered a 17 year old -what part of that are you not getting

authorities should be looking very closely at you............I hope they do

1 hour ago, smedly said:

I know who is evil - the scumbab that murdered this young girl

sounds like you are trying to justify this evil scums actions.......really ?

he murdered a 17 year old -what part of that are you not getting

authorities should be looking very closely at you............I hope they do

Don't get the knickers in a twist. You want to take wagers on whether the father takes the compensation.

No amount of $$ can bring Cake back.

Disgusting that compensation would even be considered to factor in a reduced sentence for the Aussie scumbag.

The parents ought to show a moral backbone and refuse $$.

Aussie needs the electric chair more than the family needs the cash.

💯%

7 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

No amount of $$ can bring Cake back.

Disgusting that compensation would even be considered to factor in a reduced sentence for the Aussie scumbag.

The parents ought to show a moral backbone and refuse $$.

Aussie needs the electric chair more than the family needs the cash.

💯%

Disgusting post , how about empathy and trying to understand so he can be rehabilitated

3 hours ago, Celsius said:

I don't know who's more evil..... the Aussie Brit, or the parents who sent her to "work"

I know many Thai girls in Pattaya working in the bar scene/sex industry.

Their parents don't they are selling their bodies, they've told their parents that they the are working in Big C, Lotus's etc.

Most families in Thailand are poor, they have to send their daughters for work

5 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I know many Thai girls in Pattaya working in the bar scene/sex industry.

SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders

Their parents don't they are selling their bodies, they've told their parents that they the are working in Big C, Lotus's etc.

Most families in Thailand are poor, they have to send their daughters for work

Poorer than the Philippines?.

1 hour ago, smedly said:

authorities should be looking very closely at you............I hope they do

Tell them to hurry up. I’ll finally get some attention.

5 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Poorer than the Philippines?.

Yes, a few baht poorer.

41 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

No amount of $$ can bring Cake back.

Disgusting that compensation would even be considered to factor in a reduced sentence for the Aussie scumbag.

The parents ought to show a moral backbone and refuse $$.

Aussie needs the electric chair more than the family needs the cash.

💯%

Unfortunately, "A moral backbone" doesn't pay the bills.

4 hours ago, Celsius said:

I don't know who's more evil..... the Aussie Brit, or the parents who sent her to "work"

agree ! Has the Police checked the parents Bank Accounts if money was sent by the poor young girl and if she was forced to work as a sex worker to support the family ? Remember she was under 18 !

Amazing Thailand you committed crime then you pay the victim’s parents money and they’re talking about reducing the sentence before he’s even going on trial what are the country does this I’m just curious TIT

4 minutes ago, TopThai1964 said:

agree ! Has the Police checked the parents Bank Accounts if money was sent by the poor young girl and if she was forced to work as a sex worker to support the family ? Remember she was under 18 !

The teen, whose nickname was Cake, had told her parents she wanted to go on holiday with a friend, and had travelled to Pattaya on 16 June.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/australian-man-charged-murder-girl-143010770.html

1 minute ago, JerryM said:

The teen, whose nickname was Cake, had told her parents she wanted to go on holiday with a friend, and had travelled to Pattaya on 16 June.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/australian-man-charged-murder-girl-143010770.html

for what reason was she offering sex for money on Beach Rd in Jomtien then ? Fun or was she forced by her parents ?

In Thailand money solves just about every little problem.

3 minutes ago, TopThai1964 said:

for what reason was she offering sex for money on Beach Rd in Jomtien then ? Fun or was she forced by her parents ?

That was maybe her first trick ever as she only been there for one week.

59 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Disgusting post , how about empathy and trying to understand so he can be rehabilitated

Rehabilitated with a length of rope and a long drop.

This is complete garbage. It is way too early to be talking about deals. This is nothing but speculation. Last I heard, the oxygen thief was being investigated over three other unsolved murders of women whose bodies were also dumped in suitcases. The guy could turn out to be a serial killer. “The Suitcase Butcher.”

What a wonderful multi tier system.

a) You're guilty and poor - jail

b) you're guilty and give compensation - some jail time

c) you're guilty and got a lot of money/influence/corruption - no jail

d) you're guilty, pay a lot of compensation - no jail

Seems to be similar to the former Catholic Church:

Pay money and you're free of sins

3 hours ago, JerryM said:

It is reported Carman entered Thailand on a tourist visa which he then extended which means he had to show 20K baht.

Which he will probably have spent by now , but I expect the family will be looking for a little more than that

But if there is any truth to the story, imagine being able to buy your way out of the death penalty for murder for just $40,000. Amazing Thailand.

3 minutes ago, BilllyGOAT said:

Last I heard, the oxygen thief was being investigated over three other unsolved murders of women whose bodies were also dumped in suitcases

Last I heard of the police are checking his internet history to see if maybe he got the suitcase idea from the other 2 unsolved murders. It is maybe Carman was not even in Thailand when those 2 unsolved murders occurred.