Police Arrest Australian Man Following Investigation Into 17-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Suitcase
A major breakthrough has been made in the investigation into the death of a 17-year-old Thai girl whose body was found inside a suitcase in Pattaya. Police have arrested Simon Peter Carman, a 46-year-old Australian man, at Suvarnabhumi Airport after he allegedly attempted to leave Thailand.
The victim, identified as Thanchanok “Nong Cake,” was reported missing after she was last seen in the early hours of 25 June 2026 with the Australian man near Jomtien Beach. Friends raised the alarm after they lost contact with her at around 3:44am.
Investigators say CCTV footage showed the pair entering a condominium together, but there was no footage of the teenager leaving the building.
Around 15 hours later, cameras allegedly captured Simon Peter Carman dragging a large black suitcase out of the condominium. Police say he loaded it onto a red Yamaha Aerox motorcycle before riding towards the Chaiyaphruek railway area.
Additional CCTV footage tracked the motorcycle before it disappeared from view for approximately nine minutes. When it reappeared, the suitcase was gone.
Following the CCTV trail, investigators searched bushland beside the railway line near Chaiyaphruek Road, around 4.2 kilometres from the condominium. At around midnight on 27 June, officers found a black 29-inch suitcase hidden in vegetation.
Inside was the body of the missing 17-year-old girl. Police said she was found naked with severe facial injuries and had likely been dead for at least two days. Her identity was confirmed through distinctive tattoos.
Police later searched the condominium room and reportedly found evidence indicating a violent struggle had taken place.
As the investigation gathered pace, Pattaya City Police alerted immigration authorities nationwide. Officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport located Simon Peter Carman while he was allegedly preparing to board a flight to Perth, Australia.
According to Thai reports, immigration officers stopped him just minutes before departure. Had they arrived around five minutes later, he may have left the country.
Police also reported finding scratch marks on his neck and arms, which investigators believe may be defensive injuries. During questioning, Simon Peter Carman denied any involvement, reportedly claiming he had been asleep and knew nothing about the teenager’s disappearance or death.
The Pattaya Provincial Court has approved an arrest warrant on the preliminary charge of taking a minor under the age of 18 for indecent purposes. Police are awaiting further forensic results before considering additional charges, including murder and concealing a body.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue analysing CCTV footage, examining forensic evidence and interviewing witnesses to establish exactly what happened.
Our thoughts are with Nong Cake’s family and loved ones during this tragic time.