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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

'I shouldn't be here': Australian murder suspect claims self-defense from Thai prison

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • An Australian man accused of murder in Thailand claims he acted in self-defense against the victim, a 17-year-old girl.
  • Simon Peter Carman, detained for nearly two months, stated he does not understand the charges and believes he is innocent.
  • Thai police allege Carman killed the teenager and disposed of her body in a suitcase, while the victim's father seeks the harshest punishment.

An Australian man facing murder charges in Thailand has asserted his innocence, claiming he acted in self-defense during a fatal encounter with a 17-year-old girl. Simon Peter Carman, 45, spoke from Pattaya Remand Prison, where he has been held for almost two months, telling the ABC's Foreign Correspondent program, "I shouldn't be here."

Carman is accused by Thai police of picking up Tunchanok Donhomla from Pattaya's Beach Road on June 25, subsequently killing her and hiding her body in a suitcase. The suitcase was later found dumped near his accommodation. "All I was trying to do was restrain her from stabbing me," Carman stated during a prison interview, conducted under the supervision of a guard. He expressed deep sadness, calling the event "unavoidable."

I'm hoping and praying that I get released. I have not done anything wrong. I shouldn't be here … I do not understand what's going on.

— Simon Peter CarmanCarman expresses his belief in his innocence and his distress at being detained.

The ABC is the first foreign news organization in 15 years to interview an inmate in a Thai prison, with the condition that prison officials review footage for security reasons. Carman faces charges including murder, concealing a corpse, and abducting a minor. He maintains his plea of not guilty to all charges and has yet to secure a lawyer, with only Australian embassy officials visiting him.

I feel deeply sad. I obviously wish it never happened, but it was unavoidable. All I was trying to do was restrain her from stabbing me.

— Simon Peter CarmanCarman explains his actions during the incident, claiming self-defense.

In contrast, Tunchanok Donhomla's father, Thongchai Donhomla, expressed his grief and called for the maximum penalty. "I want Simon to receive the harshest punishment because I have lost my child," he told the ABC. CCTV footage reportedly shows Carman and Tunchanok entering his condo building, and later Carman dragging a large suitcase out and transporting it on a motorcycle.

Thai police concluded their investigation and are expected to pass the case to prosecutors. If convicted of murder, Carman faces the death penalty or life imprisonment. The victim, known as "Cake" to friends and family, was last seen alive on June 25.

I want Simon to receive the harshest punishment because I have lost my child.

— Thongchai DonhomlaThe victim's father expresses his desire for justice and severe punishment for Carman.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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