Teenager in Thailand killed by Australian man, police reveal details of alleged murder

Thai police say 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla died from suffocation after allegedly being killed by Australian man Simon Carman, as investigators prepare to submit their case to prosecutors.

WEBDESK – MEDIABITES

Thai police have revealed that a 17-year-old girl allegedly killed by an Australian man in Pattaya died from suffocation, as investigators prepare to submit their case to prosecutors.

Tunchanok Donhomla, affectionately known as “Cake,” was found dead inside a suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya in late June. Police allege she had been taken to accommodation by Australian citizen Simon Carman, 45, shortly before her death.

Carman has remained detained in Thailand since his arrest at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on June 27. Police say he was attempting to board a flight to Australia when officers detained him.

Pattaya City Police Station Superintendent Police Colonel Anek Srathongyoo told the ABC that investigators had nearly completed their work and expected to submit the case file to prosecutors this week.

Police reveal cause of teenager’s death
According to Anek, an autopsy found that Tunchanok suffered a brain injury and died from suffocation.

“The autopsy report said that Cake had a brain injury and she suffocated. She had no other injuries,” Anek said.

Police also said they had collected Carman’s DNA and matched it with DNA recovered from Tunchanok’s body.

The findings form part of the evidence investigators say contradicts Carman’s account of what happened inside the accommodation.

Thai authorities have not publicly disclosed all details of the forensic evidence, but say the autopsy, DNA results and CCTV footage have helped establish a timeline of the teenager’s final hours.

CCTV used to reconstruct final hours
Police say Tunchanok was picked up near Pattaya Beach during the early hours of June 25.

CCTV footage allegedly shows her walking with Carman before the pair entered an elevator at an accommodation building at about 3:34 a.m.

Later, cameras reportedly captured Carman leaving the property with a large suitcase. Police say the suitcase was strapped to the back of a motorcycle as he traveled towards an area alongside railway tracks.

Investigators allege Carman disappeared from view for several minutes before returning to the accommodation.

Tunchanok was reported missing the following day after a friend told police she had last been seen with a foreign man.

Police subsequently gathered evidence and sought an arrest warrant.

Carman was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport shortly after 1 a.m. on June 27. About 15 minutes later, officers discovered a suitcase near railway tracks around a 10-minute drive from the accommodation where police allege the teenager had been taken.

Tunchanok’s body was found inside.

Police have acknowledged that some timings in their reconstruction differ from earlier reports but maintain that they have gathered sufficient evidence to complete the investigation.

Australian suspect denies killing teenager
Carman has denied killing Tunchanok.

Police previously said he initially faced a charge involving taking a minor for the purpose of committing an indecent act. He is now facing four offenses, including murder, moving a body, and taking a minor for sexual purposes.

Thai authorities say a murder conviction can carry life imprisonment or the death penalty.

According to accounts reported by Thai media, Carman told investigators that he did not know Tunchanok before meeting her in Pattaya. He reportedly said they had agreed on a payment of 1,000 baht but later argued after he offered 500 baht instead.

Police confirmed that the pair had argued over money but did not provide further details.

Carman has also reportedly claimed that he acted in self-defense and alleged that Tunchanok threatened him with a knife. Police said he had scratches on his body that they considered consistent with a struggle.

He reportedly told investigators that Tunchanok disappeared from the room while he was asleep.

Police say evidence collected during the investigation, including CCTV footage and DNA findings, conflicts with parts of his account.

Family demands justice for teenager
Tunchanok’s death has devastated her family, who have been following the investigation as police prepare to hand the case to prosecutors.

Her father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was relieved that the investigation was progressing but acknowledged that he lacked the legal knowledge or financial resources to pursue the case himself.

“I just hope my child gets the justice she deserves,” he said.

The teenager’s great-aunt, Mee Bonsert, has previously called for the strongest possible punishment if Carman is convicted.

The family has said it wants accountability through Thailand’s justice system and hopes the circumstances surrounding Tunchanok’s death will be fully established in court.

Case moves toward prosecution
Carman remains detained at Pattaya Remand Prison. Officials said he is the only Australian national held at the facility and has received no visitors other than staff from the Australian embassy.

Police expect to conclude their investigation by Friday, Aug. 21, and submit the case file to prosecutors.

According to police, prosecutors have until Sept. 18 to decide whether to indict Carman.

No trial date has been announced.

The case will now move to prosecutorial review, where authorities will examine the evidence gathered by investigators before deciding whether to proceed with criminal proceedings.

The case has attracted attention because of the age of the victim, the circumstances in which her body was discovered, and the involvement of a foreign national.

For Tunchanok’s family, however, the focus remains on securing justice for a teenager whose life ended in circumstances that Thai investigators are still working to fully establish.

Carman has denied killing Tunchanok, and unless and until a court finds him guilty, he remains presumed innocent.