Simon Peter Carman, 46, is facing charges of murder, concealing a body, moving or destroying a body, and kidnapping a minor for sexual purposes. If convicted of murder, Carman could face the death penalty.

Carman was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok on 29/6, just minutes before boarding a flight back to Australia. He denied the allegations, telling police the girl "disappeared from the room while I was sleeping," a situation "beyond my control."

Authorities launched an investigation after Tunchanok was reported missing. Police summoned Carman on the evening of 28/6. Following questioning early the next morning, police discovered a naked body in a suitcase, which was identified as Tunchanok's.

CCTV footage previously showed Carman entering an apartment holding Tunchanok's hand. Hours later, he was seen leaving the apartment with a large suitcase. He was then captured loading the suitcase onto a motorbike and driving towards the railway tracks, where the teenager's body was found 3 days later.

Local media reported that Carman did not know Tunchanok before they met in Pattaya. Carman informed police he had agreed to pay the teenager 1,000 baht (approximately 800,000 dong) for sex. However, upon returning to his apartment, they argued, and he then offered only 500 baht.

Carman told police he acted in self-defense, alleging Tunchanok had threatened him with a knife. Colonel Anek Srathongyoo, chief of Pattaya City Police Station, noted that Carman "had scratches consistent with a struggle, though he denied killing her."

The victim's father expressed deep sorrow over the loss. "I am incredibly heartbroken. My daughter had no mother, so whenever she wanted something, she would find a way to manage it herself, and she always helped me too," he said.

Carman remains in custody at Pattaya City Court and is awaiting a court appearance.

Simon Peter Carman at the police station. Photo: Pattaya provincial police

According to Australian media, Carman had many public interactions on social media with young Asian women, often asking for home addresses and ages, then attempting to move conversations to other platforms. The Australian reported that his wife and daughter found him "creepy" and asked him not to contact them.

Another acquaintance recounted that Carman had boasted about a gun collection, including rifles and shotguns. Australian police reportedly confiscated these weapons about one year before he traveled to Thailand.

Hai Thu (Sources: Telegraph, News Au)