World · East Asia & Pacific · 20 hrs ago
Family of Thai teenager found in suitcase sues man accused of her murder
Tunchanok Donhomla, a 17-year-old from Thailand, was found dead inside a suitcase near railway tracks outside Pattaya on June 27.
Australian truck driver Simon Peter Carman is accused of killing her and has pleaded not guilty.
He says he acted in self-defence during a struggle in which he alleges Tunchanok had a knife.
Her family has filed a civil lawsuit against him, seeking more than $51,000 in compensation.
Tunchanok’s cousin says the lawsuit is not about the money, while her father has described the loss as an emptiness in his life.
Carman is awaiting a criminal trial, which is expected to start before the end of the year.
He is due in court as trial dates are set.
The family of Thai teenager Tunchanok Donhomla has filed a civil lawsuit against Australian truck driver Simon Peter Carman, who is accused of her murder.
The family is seeking more than $51,000 in compensation.
Tunchanok’s body was found in a black suitcase near railway tracks on the outskirts of Pattaya on June 27.
Carman has pleaded not guilty and told investigators he acted in self-defence.
His criminal trial is expected to start before the end of 2026.
- Who
- Tunchanok Donhomla’s family is suing Simon Peter Carman, an Australian truck driver accused of her murder.
- What
- The family filed a civil lawsuit seeking more than $51,000 in compensation.
- When
- The lawsuit was reported on October 12, 2026. The filing date is not stated.
- Where
- The case concerns Tunchanok’s death in Pattaya, Thailand. Carman is from Perth, Australia.
- Why
- The family is seeking compensation over Tunchanok’s death; her cousin said the lawsuit was not about money.
Tunchanok Donhomla’s family
Simon Peter Carman
Responsibility
Tunchanok Donhomla’s family
The family is suing Carman over Tunchanok’s death.
Simon Peter Carman
Carman has pleaded not guilty and says he acted in self-defence.
Account of the incident
Tunchanok Donhomla’s family
The family’s lawsuit seeks more than $51,000 in compensation.
Simon Peter Carman
Carman alleges Tunchanok attacked him with a knife during an argument over money.
Tunchanok was last seen alive on CCTV with Carman in the foyer of his condo complex, two days before her body was found.
Tunchanok’s body was found in a black suitcase near railway tracks on the outskirts of Pattaya.
Carman gave his first interview since his arrest, speaking to ABC’s Foreign Correspondent from Pattaya Remand Prison.
The family’s civil lawsuit seeking more than $51,000 was reported.
- Teenager
- Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, also known as Cake
- Accused
- Simon Peter Carman, 45, from Perth’s southern suburbs
- Compensation sought
- More than $51,000
- Body found
- June 27, near railway tracks on the outskirts of Pattaya
- Criminal trial
- Expected to start before the end of 2026
What people are saying
Nobody wants money from this. They want the person's life back
Normally she would be at home, and when I get back from work, I would see her every day. Now, when I go back, there is nothing left but emptiness
I feel deeply sad. I obviously wish that it did not happen, but it was unavoidable
Sources
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