Australian tells murdered girl’s family it was ‘out of my control’
An Australian man charged with murdering a Thai teenager has delivered a video message to her family, alleging her death was “was out of my control”.
Source: X
An Australian man charged with murdering a Thai teenager and dumping her body in a suitcase has delivered a video message to her grieving family.
Simon Peter Carman, 46, from Ballarat, was arrested at Bangkok’s international airport allegedly trying to flee Thailand on a Jetstar flight to Perth on Friday night.
In footage recorded by police, Carman expressed regret to the girl’s family while also denying he killed the 17-year-old.
The victim (left) with her father and stepmother. Photo: Supplied
The dead teenager has been identified as Tunchanok Donhomla, nicknamed “Cake”. She was an only child who lived with her father and stepmother.
“I feel bad for what happened to your daughter — it was out of my control,” Carman said to the camera.
“It shouldn’t happen. Please tell other girls just to be careful.”
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The girl’s body was found stuffed in a suitcase by railroad tracks in the sex tourism and resort town of Pattaya.
Thai police found a suitcase near railway tracks. Photo: X
Carman denied involvement initially, according to The Pattaya News. He later claimed to have acted in self-defence, saying Tunchanok threatened him with a kitchen knife during an argument over $20.
Thai media said Carman and Tunchanok met in Pattaya and had agreed on a payment of 1000 baht ($43). They went to his condo but argued after he instead offered 500 baht ($20).
The ABC reported that police confirmed they had argued about money.
Police allege Simon Carman picked up Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya. Photo: Pattaya police
The girl’s family said they had not stopped crying. Thai media reports they are demanding the death penalty.
In a media report, Tunchanok’s stepmother, Oradee Bussarakum, stated: “I told the police I want him executed. As a stepmother I don’t know what else to say. I just want him executed.’’
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Oradee said her stepdaughter went to Pattaya on June 16 for a holiday with her friend.
“She asked for money from her grandmother and she gave her some,” Oradee told the ABC.
“She said she wanted to see the sea.”
CCTV video shows an Australian man with a Thai girl who has died.
CCTV footage published by local media shows Tunchanok and Carman entering a residential complex early on June 25.
Camera footage also appears to show Carman leaving the same residential building alone later that night, with a large black suitcase. He can be seen driving away with it on a motorbike.
The accused was on CCTV wheeling a suitcase from his building.
Police later found the suitcase near a railway about four kilometres away, media reported.
Tunchanok’s naked body was found inside. She had injuries consistent with an assault.
Video footage of Carman shows visible scratch marks on his neck and arms.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Thailand.
-with AAP
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