Full Breakdown
Australian Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murder of Thai Teen Found in Suitcase
By Drooid · · How we work
The Court Hearing in Pattaya
On September 18, 2026, Simon Peter Carman, 45, appeared before Pattaya provincial court and entered a not-guilty plea to all charges related to the death of 17-year-old Thanchanok Donhomla. Police have charged Carman with murder, concealing a corpse and taking a minor for indecent purposes. The court set the next hearing for 12 October.
Incident Overview
Police investigations indicate that Carman met the teenager in the early hours of June 25, 2026, and escorted her to his condominium on the outskirts of Pattaya. CCTV footage released by Pattaya City Police shows the pair entering the building together and, later that evening, Carman leaving with a large black suitcase. The suitcase was recovered near railway tracks two days later, and forensic examination concluded that the girl died of suffocation.
Official Statements and Responses
Thai authorities have stated that Thanchanok threatened Carman with a kitchen knife, prompting his claim of self-defence. In a police interrogation video, Carman asserted that he acted to protect himself and that he had given the girl 500 baht (about $21) before the alleged confrontation. The prosecution has opposed bail, describing Carman as a flight risk; a judge subsequently denied his bail application. Carman has reported assaults by other inmates while in custody and says he secured legal representation only three weeks after his arrest. Under Thai law, a murder conviction could carry the death penalty.
Key Dates and Figures
- June 25, 2026 – CCTV captures Carman and the teenager entering the condominium.
- June 27, 2026 – Carman is arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, the same day the body is discovered.
- September 18, 2026 – Not-guilty plea entered in Pattaya court.
- 12 October 2026 – Scheduled next court date.
What’s Next
The case will return to Pattaya provincial court on 12 October, where the prosecution is expected to present further evidence and the court will consider pre-trial motions, including any bail applications.