The stepmother of a 17-year-old Thai girl allegedly murdered by an Australian man in Pattaya has called for the suspect to receive the death penalty as the family continues to mourn the teenager’s tragic death.
The victim, identified as Tunchanok Donhomla, was reported missing before her body was discovered inside a suitcase. Thai authorities later arrested 45-year-old Australian national Simon Carman in connection with the case.
Police detained Carman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on June 26, shortly after the teenager’s body was found. He has since been charged with murder.
The case has attracted widespread attention in Thailand and abroad due to the shocking circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
Family’s Hope Turned to Grief
According to reports, Tunchanok was last seen entering a building with Carman on June 25. Her family initially held onto hope that she would be found alive after she went missing.
Those hopes were crushed when authorities located her body concealed inside a suitcase, leading to an intensive investigation that quickly focused on the Australian suspect.
Speaking to media outlets, the teenager’s stepmother, Oradee Bussarakum, expressed anger and heartbreak over the incident.
She reportedly said she wanted the harshest possible punishment for the accused, adding that she wished he would be executed for what had happened to her stepdaughter.
The grieving woman also revealed that she had even asked police officers if she could physically confront the suspect herself, reflecting the immense pain felt by the family.
Suspect Allegedly Confessed After CCTV Evidence
When first questioned by investigators, Carman reportedly denied involvement in the teenager’s death.
However, Thai media reports indicated that he later admitted to the crime after investigators confronted him with CCTV footage allegedly linking him to the incident.
Following his arrest, video footage circulated online showing Carman apologising to the victim’s family.
He reportedly stated that he felt sorry for what had happened and described the situation as being “out of my control”.
Thai authorities have formally charged Carman with murder, and legal proceedings are expected to continue in the coming months.
The case has sparked outrage among members of the public, with many calling for justice for the young victim and support for her grieving family as they cope with the devastating loss.