Australian Man Charged With Murder of Thai Teen Found in Suitcase

Australian national Simon Peter Carman, 45, was arrested at Bangkok’s main international airport on Friday moments before boarding a Jetstar flight to Perth. Police charged him with murder, concealing and moving a body, and abducting a minor for indecent purposes after finding the body of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla inside a 29-inch suitcase in long grass 2.6 miles from his accommodation.

Thai law allows a murder conviction to result in either life imprisonment or the death penalty by lethal injection. Luca Bernardinetti, chairman and managing partner of Mahnakorn Partners Group, said courts may weigh mitigating factors such as a confession or compensation paid to the victim’s family, but these do not erase the offense.

Bernardinetti stated that compensation is decided between the parties, yet the final sentence rests with prosecutors and judges. He added that foreign nationals facing aggravated murder charges typically incur legal fees ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million baht.

Bernardinetti noted that many court-appointed lawyers have limited English proficiency, which can affect case preparation.

Carman was transferred earlier this week from police holding cells to the hospital wing of Pattaya Remand Prison. Proceedings are expected to last at least several months. A source familiar with the Thai legal system told news.com.au that Carman may face a reduced sentence if he pleads guilty and provides substantial compensation, though the family is not required to accept any payment.