# Australian man pleads not guilty in Thai teen death case

> Simon Peter Carman denies murdering 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, claiming self-defence.
- Title: Australian man pleads not guilty in Thai teen death case
- Summary: Simon Peter Carman denies murdering 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, claiming self-defence. An Australian man accused of killing a Thai teenager…
- Keywords: simon peter carman, tunchanok donhomla, pattaya, thailand, murder charge, australian man, thai teenager, suitcase, not guilty plea, self-defence claim, news, world
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/18/australian-man-accused-of-murdering-thai-teenager-and-putting-body-in-suitcase-pleads-not-guilty-ntwnfb
- Author: Agence France-Presse and Associated Press
- Published: 2026-09-18T10:00:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: simon peter carman, tunchanok donhomla, pattaya, thailand, murder charge, australian man, thai teenager, suitcase, not guilty plea, self-defence claim, news, world
## Australian man pleads not guilty
Simon Peter Carman, 45, appeared in Pattaya court on Friday and denied murdering Thai teenager Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, and concealing her body in a suitcase.
## Teen reported missing in June
Tunchanok Donhomla was reported missing in Pattaya, about 150 kilometres south-east of Bangkok. A suitcase containing her body was found shortly after her disappearance.
## Carman arrested in June
Carman was arrested in June after the teenager went missing. Police said she died of suffocation.
## CCTV shows entry and exit
Police said CCTV footage showed Carman entering a Pattaya condominium with the girl in the early hours of 25 June and leaving that evening carrying a large black suitcase.
## Carman claims self-defence
In a police interrogation video, Carman said he was acting in self-defence because the girl was threatening him with a knife.

> he was acting in self-defence because the girl was threatening him with a knife
## Multiple charges filed
Carman faces charges of murder, concealing a body, and taking a minor for indecent purposes. The next court hearing is scheduled for 12 October.
## Key takeaway

An Australian man accused of killing a Thai teenager and concealing her body in a suitcase has entered a not guilty plea, with his defence resting on a self-defence claim.