WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Perth man faces Thai murder trial over suitcase death<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n Authorities charged him with four offences, including murder, and concealing a corpse. <\/p>\n Carman had initially pleaded not guilty<\/a> to all charges but on Monday changed his mind and admitted concealing Donhomla\u2019s body.<\/p>\n In Pattaya Provincial Court<\/a>, Carman claimed that the teen put a knife to his neck, so he had to defend himself<\/a>. <\/p>\n He claims he squeezed her jaw, not her neck, but she died anyway.<\/p>\n Asking for bail, he was reminded that had already been rejected, to which he said: \u201cI haven\u2019t done anything to deserve this.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked if he would pay about $70,000 in compensation to the Donhomla family \u2014 a common practice in Thai criminal cases \u2014 the Australian said he does not need to because he did nothing wrong.<\/p>\n He said he may provide some help if he is released.<\/p>\n Donhomla\u2019s family says it is a good thing he pleaded not guilty to murder because under Thai law a confession could see him spared the maximum penalty \u2014 death by lethal injection.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are grateful that he has denied the charges and hope he continues to do so, as we want him to face the harshest possible punishment,\u201d Donhomla\u2019s aunty Miruntree Thanachai said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe harm he caused us was truly devastating.\u201d<\/p>\n Thanachai added: \u201cIf it wasn\u2019t intentional, then why was she (allegedly) beaten so severely that her face is unrecognisable and badly bruised?\u201d<\/p>\n Carman allegedly met Donhomla, known locally as \u201cCake\u201d, in Pattaya, about two hours south of Bangkok, in June.<\/p>\n CCTV footage allegedly showed the pair holding hands as they entered his apartment.<\/p>\n Police said Carman was later seen wheeling a large suitcase out of the building before strapping it to the back of a moped and riding away.<\/p>\n The teen\u2019s body was found stuffed in a suitcase and dumped near train tracks.<\/p>\n Pattaya City Police said autopsy results showed Donhomla suffered a brain injury and died of suffocation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Carman was arrested at Bangkok\u2019s main international airport<\/a>, allegedly trying to board a Jetstar flight to Perth<\/a>, before being charged.<\/p>\n The trial is expected to run for several months.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Major update for Australian man accused of killing Thai teen<\/p>\n 1 min read<\/p>\n![\"Simon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/8e0aaca8dc931dd5fb464ba237eb9ac2d6740cdf.jpg\")
Simon Peter Carman, 45, is accused of murdering Tunchanok Donhomla, 17. Credit: 7NEWSTeen\u2019s family \u2018grateful\u2019 for not guilty plea<\/p>\n![\"Miruntree](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/47d1264955d5cd0c91aff27031c7e1374626a8eb.jpg\")
Miruntree Thanachai said the teen\u2019s family are \u2018grateful\u2019 the accused has pleaded not guilty, so he can \u2018face the harshest possible punishment\u2019 if found guilty. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n