'I want him executed': Parents of Thai girl found dead in suitcase give emotional interview

The parents of the Thai girl found dead inside a suitcase have given an emotional interview to local media, saying they are “deeply saddened” by her death – and calling for the execution of the Australian man who allegedly killed her.

The father and stepmother of Tunchanok Donhomla have spoken up after the 17-year-old was found dead inside a suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya last Friday.

Australian man Simon Carman has been arrested and charged with murder, concealment of a body, moving or destroying a body, as well as with taking a minor aged between 15 and 18 for sexual purposes.

Speaking to local media on the weekend, the girl’s father was visibly emotional as he attempted to explain the pain of losing his daughter.

“My daughter had no mother, so whenever she wanted anything, she would find a way herself, and she always helped me too,” he said, through tears.

Oradee Bussarakum told the media she wants the man responsible for the murder to be executed.

“As a stepmother, I don’t know what else to say. I just want him executed. I said it this morning. I even asked the police if I could hit him, if I could beat him. Please, just let me. The police told me not to, that he would face the full [consequences] regardless,” she said.

Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, had only arrived in Pattaya days before her death. Photo / Facebook

Tunchanok’s parents travelled from their home in the northeastern province of Kalasin to Pattaya after she was reported missing and will now be there to collect their daughter’s body.

They said that this had been the girl’s first visit to Pattaya and she had only arrived there days before her murder. Her parents, who described her as a helpful person and with no history of drug use, allowed her to travel with a friend.

The girl's parents were inconsolable in an interview after her body was found in a suitcase. Photo / ABC

They reportedly learned of her murder while on their way to Pattaya, after the girl’s friend reported her missing.

Carman, 45, was detained by Thai immigration at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at around 9.30pm local time (2.30pm on Saturday NZT).

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.

What is known about Tunchanok Donhomla’s final moments

Authorities in Thailand are still investigating exactly what happened before the 17-year-old’s body was found inside a large suitcase.

CCTV footage shows the 45-year-old walking hand in hand through his hotel lobby in Pattaya with a young woman at around 3.30am local time on Thursday.

CCTV footage captured Tunchanok and Carman entering his accommodation together in the early hours of Thursday. Photo / Pattaya News

At around 9.30pm that night, video footage 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.

The Bangkok Post reports police found signs of a struggle at Carman’s condominium, as well as his passport, and authorities then arrested him at the airport attempting to buy a ticket to Australia.

The Post reported Carman told police he had not known the 17-year-old before they met and he agreed to pay 1000 baht ($53) “for her time”.

There was an argument over the price at Carman’s room, The Post reported, “after which the suspect alleged that the girl picked up a knife to threaten him and demand more money”, the major Thai outlet reports.

Thai immigration detained Simon Peter Carman, 45, at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

“He claimed he then acted in self‑defence, grabbing her neck and causing her death. He insisted he had no intention to kill.”

In a video recorded after his arrest, Carman said he feels “bad for what happened” but claimed the situation was “out of my control”.

“I feel bad for what happened to your daughter; it was out of my control,” he said in the video.

“I know you will be very sad, upset, same me. It shouldn’t happen and I hope you okay, I know you’re not, but I hope,” he said.

Carman remains in the custody of Pattaya City Police, awaiting a court appearance.