Australian man arrested in Thailand over 17-year-old girl's murder and body in suitcase
Consensus Summary
An Australian man, Simon Peter Carman, was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on June 27, 2026, after Thai police linked him to the murder of a 17-year-old girl whose body was found stuffed in a black suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya. CCTV footage showed the victim, identified as Tunchanok Donhomla by ABC or from Kalasin province by other sources, holding hands with Carman early on June 26 before he left an apartment with the suitcase. Police later discovered the body, which showed signs of severe assault, and Carman was questioned about his involvement. He denied killing the girl and claimed she disappeared while he slept, though police allege he attempted to flee Thailand. The Australian government confirmed providing consular assistance but avoided further comment. Carman’s arrest follows a police investigation triggered by the victim’s missing person report filed by friends on June 27.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Simon Peter Carman, 46 (ABC says 45), was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on June 27, 2026, around 7:00 PM local time (10:00 PM AEST) while attempting to board a flight to Australia.
- The body of a 17-year-old girl, identified as Tunchanok Donhomla (ABC) or from Kalasin province (SMH/TheAge), was found stuffed in a black suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya on June 27, 2026.
- CCTV footage shows the victim holding hands with a Caucasian man (later identified as Carman) near Jomtien Beach/Pattaya around 3:30 AM on June 26, 2026, and the man later leaving the apartment with a black suitcase.
- Carman’s passport was found at the apartment where the victim was last seen, and he denied involvement in her disappearance or murder.
- The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed providing consular assistance to Carman but declined further comment.
- Carman was questioned by police and provided information leading to the discovery of the suitcase containing the victim’s body.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The victim, Tunchanok Donhomla, was picked up from the Beach Road vice strip in Pattaya.
- Carman claims the victim disappeared from the hotel room while he was asleep.
- Police initially charged Carman with 'taking a minor for the purpose of committing an indecent act' before questioning him on suspicion of murder.
- The victim’s body showed signs of severe assault, including swelling, bruising, and blood from her mouth and nose.
- Carman has fingernail scratches on his body consistent with a struggle, per Pattaya police.
- Carman addressed the victim’s family in a video, saying, 'I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control.'
- Carman was asked by police whether he killed the teenager and replied 'No' multiple times in a separate video.
- The dumped suitcase was found about four kilometers away from the apartment complex.
- Carman was seen returning to the apartment complex without the suitcase on the back of the motorcycle after initially leaving with it.
- The same details as SMH regarding Carman’s video statements and the suitcase’s location.
- The Nation Thailand reported Carman was stopped at 9:30 PM local time while preparing to board a Jetstar flight to Perth.
- Pattaya police requested a watch notice to prevent Carman from leaving Thailand.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Carman is 45, while SMH and TheAge report him as 46.
- ABC specifies the victim was picked up from the Beach Road vice strip, while other sources do not mention this location explicitly.
- ABC notes Carman was initially charged with 'taking a minor for the purpose of committing an indecent act,' which is not mentioned in other sources.
- TheGuardian and SMH/TheAge differ slightly on the time of Carman’s arrest (9:30 PM vs. 7:00 PM local time).
Source Articles
Australian man arrested at Bangkok airport after teenager’s body found stuffed in suitcase
Thai media is reporting that Simon Peter Carman, 46, was detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok while attempting to leave the country.
Australian man arrested in Thailand after 17-year-old’s body found in suitcase
The 46-year-old was stopped at about 9.30pm on Friday while preparing to board a Jetstar flight to Perth, according to the Nation Thailand Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast An Australian man has been arrested at a Thai airport in connection with the alleged murder of a 17-year-old girl whose body was found in a suitcase, according to local media reports. The 46-year-old was stopped at about 9.30pm on Friday while preparing to travel on Jetstar flight to Perth, accordin
Australian man arrested at Bangkok airport after teenager’s body found stuffed in suitcase
Thai media is reporting that Simon Peter Carman, 46, was detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok while attempting to leave the country.
Australian arrested after teenage girl's body found in Thailand
A man from Ballarat is in custody as investigations continue into the discovery of the body of a teenage girl found stuffed inside a suitcase.