Thai teen found in suitcase died from suffocation, police reveal

A 17‑year‑old Thai girl identified as Tunchanok Donhomla was found dead inside a suitcase in Pattaya, police said, with autopsy results confirming suffocation as the cause of death. Officers recovered the body early on 27 June, approximately 15 minutes after they arrested 45‑year‑old Australian Simon Peter Carman, who they allege was preparing to leave the country. Pattaya City police chief Anek Srathongyoo told the BBC that the autopsy “showed she died from suffocation.” He added, quote: “She besides suffered immoderate encephalon wounded but that was not the origin of death,” helium added. “It could person happened aft she died arsenic the accused moved her assemblage successful a suitcase earlier dumping it.” Anek also said DNA taken from Tunchanok’s remains matched Carman’s, noting that the match “likely came from erstwhile helium enactment her assemblage successful the suitcase.” Carman faces four charges: murder; concealing or moving the body; kidnapping a minor; and taking a minor for an indecent act. According to Anek, Carman did not fully deny the accusations at first. He admitted to taking the girl out. Quote: “[Carman] did not wholly contradict each the charges initially,” Anek said. “He admitted to taking her out. That said, adjacent if helium pleads not blameworthy successful tribunal later, I judge we person collected each the grounds thoroughly and closed each loophole successful the lawsuit successful bid to beryllium it to the tribunal that helium has committed those crimes.” Police intend to forward the case to prosecutors by Friday, with the deadline for indictment set for 18 September. Earlier CCTV footage allegedly shows Carman entering a condominium with Tunchanok at 03:34 on 25 June. Later that evening he emerged carrying a large suitcase, which he placed on a motorbike and drove toward a railway line. After his arrest Carman denied the charges, claiming self‑defence. He told officers he had agreed to pay Tunchanok 1,000 baht (about $30; £23) for sexual services, but later offered only 500 baht after a dispute at his flat. In a video recorded while in custody, Carman addressed the victim’s family, saying, quote: “I consciousness atrocious for what happened to your daughter. It was retired of my control.” He continued, quote: “I cognize you'll beryllium precise sad, upset… aforesaid [as] me,” helium added. “Please archer different girls… conscionable to beryllium careful.” Tunchanok’s father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was “deeply saddened” by his daughter’s death. He recalled, quote: “My girl had nary mother, truthful whenever she wanted anything, she would find a mode herself, and she ever helped maine too,” helium told a section reporter. Her stepmother, Oradee Bussarakum, described the family’s fear before the tragedy. Quote: “We were scared. We conscionable hoped it wouldn't crook retired the mode we feared,” she said. “Now our eyes are swollen from crying.” She added, quote: “I conscionable privation [Carman] executed,” she added. “I adjacent asked the constabulary if I could deed him, if I could bushed him.” If convicted of murder, Carman could be sentenced to death.