A 17-year-old Thai girl’s final message to a friend has been revealed after police accused an Australian man of murdering her and concealing her body inside a suitcase in Pattaya, Thailand.
Thai authorities allege that Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, was strangled to death by 45-year-old Australian national Simon Peter Carman following a dispute in the early hours of 26 June.
The teenager had travelled from Thailand’s Kalasin province to Pattaya for a short holiday with a friend just days before the incident.
According to investigators, Tunchanok met Carman near Jomtien Beach before accompanying him back to his apartment.
CCTV footage reportedly captured the pair entering the apartment building together while holding hands, marking the last time the teenager was seen alive.
Final Message Sent To Friend
Shortly after arriving at the apartment, Tunchanok reportedly sent a message to a friend via the Line messaging application.
According to Thai police, the teenager wrote that she had arrived safely at the apartment and remarked that the room was messy.
She also informed her friend that she would be staying there so that her whereabouts would be known and there would be no reason to worry.
Investigators said the message was the final communication she sent before all contact ceased.
When the teenager could no longer be reached, her friend reported her missing, prompting authorities to launch a search.
Dispute Allegedly Turned Deadly
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that an argument allegedly broke out after the pair arrived at the apartment.
According to local reports, Carman allegedly told investigators that they had initially agreed on a payment of 1,000 Thai baht for sexual services. However, a disagreement reportedly arose when he later offered a lower amount.
The suspect allegedly claimed the teenager attempted to leave the apartment and threatened him with a knife, leading to a physical struggle.
Thai police said Carman later admitted during questioning that he strangled the teenager until she became motionless.
Authorities allege that he then moved her body into the bathroom before eventually placing it inside a suitcase.
Investigators believe the suitcase remained in the apartment for about a day before it was removed.
Body Found Near Railway Tracks
CCTV footage allegedly showed Carman wheeling a large suitcase out of the apartment building several hours later.
Police believe he transported the suitcase on a motorcycle before dumping it in a grassy area near railway tracks in Pattaya.
After tracing the teenager’s last known movements, investigators eventually discovered the suitcase.
Her body was reportedly found curled up inside.
Police said she suffered multiple facial injuries consistent with a violent assault, including bruising, swelling and blood around her mouth and nose.
Arrested At Airport Before Flight
Thai authorities arrested Carman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport while he was allegedly attempting to board a flight to Perth, Australia.
He has since been charged with multiple offences, including murder, concealing and moving a body, and abducting a minor for indecent purposes.
The suspect remains in custody while prosecutors prepare their case.
If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty under Thai law.
Police Looking Into Similar Cases
Authorities are also examining whether the case bears any similarities to two other unsolved murders in the Pattaya region where bodies were found inside suitcases.
Police stressed there is currently no evidence linking Carman to those earlier cases.
However, investigators are comparing forensic evidence as part of their ongoing inquiries.
The case has attracted significant attention in both Thailand and Australia, with officials continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses as the investigation progresses.