The family of a 17-year-old Thai girl whose body was discovered inside a suitcase in Pattaya has expressed profound grief and called for justice after an Australian man was arrested and charged in connection with her death, according to Reuters.
Thai police said they arrested 40-year-old Australian national Simon Peter Carman at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday as he was preparing to board a flight to Australia. He has been charged with murder, concealing and moving a body, and taking a minor for sexual purposes. The charges remain allegations, and the case will be determined in court.
Investigators said CCTV footage allegedly showed Carman entering a condominium with the teenager before later leaving alone carrying a suitcase. Police said the suitcase was transported to a grassy area near a railway line, where the victim's body was later found.
Before being transferred to court, Carman briefly addressed the victim's family, saying, "I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control."
The victim's father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was devastated by the loss, describing his daughter as someone who often helped support the family.
Her stepmother, Oradee Bussarakum, called for the maximum punishment available under Thai law, saying she wanted the suspect to face the full legal consequences if convicted.
Thai authorities have not yet announced when Carman will make his first court appearance.
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