Australian man charged over death of 17-year-old Thai girl

Australian man charged over death of 17-year-old Thai girl
Simon Peter Carman walks with a 17-year-old Thai girl, whose body was found in a suitcase, at a condominium, in Pattaya City, Thailand, 25 June 2026.
Reuters

The family of a 17-year-old Thai girl say they have been left devastated after an Australian man was charged over her death in Pattaya.

Arrest at airport

Thai police said Simon Peter Carman, an Australian man in his 40s, was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday as he was preparing to leave the country.

He faces charges including murder, concealing a body, moving or destroying a body and taking a minor for sexual purposes.

Family seeks justice

Before appearing in court, Carman addressed the victim's family.

"I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control," he said.

The teenager's father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was struggling to cope with the loss of his daughter.

"I am deeply saddened. My daughter had no mother, so whenever she wanted anything, she would find a way herself, and she always helped me too," he said.

Her stepmother said the family wanted justice and hoped the suspect would face the full force of the law.

Investigation continues

Police have not announced when Carman will next appear in court as the investigation continues.

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