UPDATE Australian Admits Killing Teen in Pattaya Picture courtesy of Matichon Australian man has admitted killing a 17-year-old Thai girl at his condominium in Pattaya, claiming he acted in self-defence during a dispute over money. On 27 June, police confirmed that 46-year-old Simon Peter Carman confessed after being confronted with CCTV footage showing him transporting the victim’s body in a suitcase before abandoning it beside a railway line approximately 4.2 kilometres from his condominium in Jomtien. The case follows the discovery of the body of 17-year-old Thanchanok, from Kalasin province, concealed inside a suitcase. According to investigators, the victim died inside the suspect’s 15th-floor condominium on Jomtien Second Road before her body was initially hidden in the bathroom. Carman then loaded the suitcase onto a motorcycle and disposed of it near the railway line before returning to his condominium, collecting his belongings and travelling to Suvarnabhumi Airport in an apparent attempt to leave Thailand. Police arrested him at the airport after tracking his movements through CCTV footage. During questioning, conducted in the presence of his lawyer and an interpreter, Carman admitted causing the teenager’s death but insisted he had not intended to kill her. He told investigators that at around 03.00 on 25 June he met the victim at Jomtien Beach and invited her to his rented condominium. He claimed that after receiving a telephone call, she said she could no longer stay with him, explaining that she was menstruating, and asked for 500 baht as compensation for wasted time. Carman alleged that she then demanded more money, leading to a heated argument. The suspect further claimed that the victim produced a knife and held it to his neck, resulting in a struggle. He said he restrained her by gripping her knife hand with his left hand while using his right hand to hold her by the neck until she became motionless. Realising she had died, he said he concealed the body in a suitcase, later disposing of it beside the railway line. He apologised to the victim’s family and maintained that his actions were solely in self-defence. Matichon reported that police initially secured an arrest warrant on charges of taking a minor aged under 18 from the care of her parents or guardian for indecent purposes. After further investigation and the collection of evidence, including fingerprinting, investigators formally charged Carman with murder, abducting a minor aged between 15 and 18 for indecent purposes, and concealing, moving or destroying a body. He was taken to Pattaya Provincial Court on 27 June and remanded in custody, while the investigation continues. Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 27 June 2026
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