An Australian man accused of killing a 17-year-old Thai girl has admitted concealing her body inside a suitcase but continues to deny murdering her, as the criminal proceedings in Thailand move forward.
Simon Peter Carman, an Australian national who was 45 at the time of his arrest, is accused of killing Tunchanok Donhomla, popularly known as “Nong Cake”, in Pattaya, Thailand, in June 2026.
The teenager’s body was discovered inside a discarded suitcase near railway tracks, two days after she was reported missing by friends.
CCTV Footage Traced the Teenager’s Final Movements
According to Thai police, CCTV footage showed Tunchanok entering a condominium building with Carman in the early hours of June 25.
Investigators said subsequent surveillance footage showed the Australian leaving the building later that evening with a large suitcase, which he allegedly transported on a motorcycle.
Police later discovered the suitcase containing the teenager’s body near railway tracks in Pattaya.
Carman was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on June 27 as he was preparing to travel back to Australia.
The investigation attracted international attention after authorities disclosed details of the surveillance footage and the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s disappearance.
Australian Changes Plea on Concealing the Body
At a hearing before Pattaya Provincial Court on October 12, Carman agreed to plead guilty to the charge of concealing a corpse.
However, he maintained his denial of the murder allegation and continued to argue that he acted in self-defence.
According to reporting by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the court had questioned him about the strength of the evidence relating to the concealment of the body.
Carman reportedly told the court that he did not intentionally strangle Tunchanok and claimed he had squeezed her jaw in self-defence.
He also maintained that he did not intentionally cause her death.
A police autopsy identified suffocation as the cause of the teenager’s death.
Victim’s Family Seeks Justice
Tunchanok’s family has been left devastated by her death and is pursuing compensation through a related civil claim.
Her relatives have reportedly requested 1.65 million Thai baht in damages, equivalent to approximately US$49,000 at the time of reporting.
Her father has expressed profound grief and called for the legal process to deliver justice for his daughter.
The family’s civil claim is expected to be considered alongside the criminal proceedings.
What Happens Next?
Carman remains in custody in Thailand as the case proceeds.
According to reporting by The Washington Post following the October hearing, further court proceedings are scheduled for December 8, 9 and 11, 2026, when prosecution witnesses are expected to present evidence.
If convicted of intentional murder, Carman could face life imprisonment or the death penalty under Thai law.
The case remains before the court. Carman’s admission to concealing the body does not amount to a guilty plea to murder, which he continues to deny.
The proceedings will determine criminal responsibility based on the evidence presented to the court.
