Australian Man Pleads Not Guilty as Pattaya Court Rejects Bail Bid
Australian Man Pleads Not Guilty as Pattaya Court Rejects Bail Bid
PATTAYA, Sept. 19, 2026 — Australian national Simon Peter Carman, 45, has pleaded not guilty to charges over the death of a 17-year-old Thai girl in Pattaya and has been denied bail after prosecutors argued that he posed a flight risk.
Carman appeared before Pattaya Provincial Court on September 18, his first appearance before a judge since his arrest in late June. He faces charges including intentional murder, concealing and moving or destroying a corpse, and abducting a minor aged over 15 but under 18 for indecent purposes.
Carman denies all charges. He told the court that he had acted in self-defence and said he had been mistaken about the teenager’s age. His lawyer, Sorasit Pongin, also confirmed that the defence rejects all charges.
Bail Denied Over Flight Risk
Carman asked to be released on bail, but prosecutors opposed the application, arguing that he could attempt to leave Thailand if released.
Prosecutors pointed to his arrest at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in June, where authorities detained him as he was preparing to board a flight to Perth, Australia.
The court rejected his bail application, and Carman remains in custody at Pattaya Remand Prison.
During the court appearance, Carman was brought into court in prison clothing, with restraints on his wrists and ankles. Two Australian consular representatives were also permitted to meet with him during the hearing.
Teenager Found in Suitcase
The case centres on the death of Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, from Kalasin province.
According to police, CCTV footage showed Tunchanok entering Carman’s condominium with him at about 3:30 a.m. on June 25. Later that day, footage allegedly showed Carman leaving the building while transporting a large suitcase on a motorcycle.
Tunchanok’s body was discovered two days later inside a suitcase abandoned near railway tracks close to Carman’s accommodation.
Police said an autopsy found that she died from suffocation. Investigators have also said that DNA evidence collected during the investigation matched material found on the victim.
Carman has maintained that he acted in self-defence, alleging that the teenager threatened him with a knife. He has also said he did not know she was under 18.
Those claims remain part of the defence case and have not been established as facts by the court.
Next Hearing Set for October 12
The next court hearing is scheduled for October 12, when evidence submitted by the prosecution and defence is expected to be examined. Carman’s lawyer said the case could take approximately six to eight months to proceed.
As Carman left the courthouse, he told reporters that he had lost about 30 kilograms since his detention.
The case remains ongoing, and Carman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
