Australian man arrested in Thailand after 17yo's body found in suitcase
An Australian man has been arrested in Thailand for the alleged murder of a local teenager whose body was discovered in a suitcase.
Simon Carman, 45, was detained by Thai immigration at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at around 9.30pm local time (2.30pm Saturday NZST).
Carman was allegedly trying to leave on a flight to Perth before he was taken into custody over the alleged murder of a 17-year-old girl, local media reported.
CCTV footage shows the 45-year-old walking hand in hand through his hotel lobby in Pattaya with a young woman around 3.30am local time on Thursday.
Around 9.30pm that night, video footage then shows Carman leaving his hotel with a black suitcase.
He is then seen strapping it to a scooter and riding to a railway line about 10 minutes away.
The girl’s body was later found stuffed in a suitcase in grassy scrubland beside the track.
Thai immigration detained Simon Peter Carman, 45, at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Carman allegedly told investigators the girl had demanded money and tried to rob him before a struggle ensued, 9 News reported.
“I had my wallet open to get my money out, next thing I know there’s a knife in my face,” Carman claimed in a video recorded by police.
Thai investigators claim Carman “used one hand to grab the knife for self-defence, while his other hand gripped the woman’s neck”.
The investigator also claimed he had admitted to placing the woman’s body inside a bag, 9News reported.
Video shows what police claim are scratch marks on Carman’s neck and arms.
Carman is also facing charges for allegedly abducting a minor under 18 for indecent purposes.
Murder can carry the death penalty or life in prison in Thailand.
9News reported that Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs was aware of the arrest and was providing assistance to the man.
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