Thai police say a post-mortem examination found that 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, known as Cake, died from suffocation and suffered a brain injury. Australian national Simon Carman, 45, has been held in custody since his arrest at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport in late June, when police say he was trying to board a flight to Australia. He faces four charges, including murder. Police say case is nearly complete Pattaya City Police Station superintendent Police Colonel Anek Srathongyoo told the ABC that investigators were close to completing their case. "The autopsy report said that Cake had a brain injury and she suffocated. She had no other injuries," he said. Police allege Carman picked up Tunchanok near Pattaya Beach during the early hours of June 25. Her naked body was discovered two days later inside a suitcase dumped near railway tracks, around a 10-minute drive from Carman's accommodation. Colonel Anek said police had collected Carman's DNA and matched it with DNA found on the teenager's body. Officers also retraced her final movements to the hotel room she entered with him. He said investigators expected to conclude their work by Friday, August 21, and send the file to prosecutors. Prosecutors then had until September 18 to indict Carman, while a court date had not yet been set. "I think we have collected 100 per cent of the evidence," Colonel Anek said, adding that the court could consider a sentence quickly once the case was presented. Carman denies killing teenager Police initially charged Carman in June with taking a minor for the purpose of committing an indecent act. He has since been charged with four offences, including moving a body, taking a minor for sexual purposes and murder. Carman has denied killing Tunchanok. Police previously said he had fingernail scratches across his body consistent with a struggle, but that he claimed she disappeared from the room while he was asleep. He also reportedly told authorities he acted in self-defence, alleging Tunchanok threatened him with a knife. Thai media reported that Carman said he did not know her before meeting her in Pattaya and going to his condominium. He said they agreed a payment of 1,000 baht, but argued after he offered 500 baht instead. Police confirmed there had been an argument over money but declined to provide further details. In a video recorded while he was in custody in June, Carman told the family he felt bad for "what happened to your daughter", saying it was "out of my control". Family calls for justice Tunchanok's father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was relieved by the reported progress but lacked the legal knowledge and money to pursue proceedings himself. "I don't ask for much. I just hope my child gets the justice she deserves," he said. Her great-aunt, Mee Bonsert, said she wanted the killer to face the death penalty if found guilty: "I want a life for a life." Carman is being held at Pattaya Remand Prison, where he shares a cell with at least 60 inmates, according to Pattaya Special Prison commander Phatsaphong Jaiklongklaeo. He is the prison's only Australian inmate and has received no visitors apart from Australian embassy staff. Picture courtesy of ABC News Join the discussion? 19 August 2026
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