A horrifying crime has shaken Thailand after a 17-year-old girl who had been reported missing was found dead inside a black suitcase abandoned near railway tracks in Pattaya. Authorities arrested a 46-year-old Australian man at Suvarnabhumi Airport as he allegedly attempted to leave the country, following an investigation that traced the victim’s final movements through CCTV footage. Police continue to investigate the case as forensic examinations and legal proceedings move forward, while the suspect denies any involvement in the teenager’s death.
PATTAYA, Thailand — A shocking case has sent waves of grief and outrage across Thailand after a 17-year-old girl who was reported missing was found dead inside a black suitcase abandoned near railway tracks in Pattaya. The disturbing discovery came after an intensive police investigation that traced the teenager’s last known movements through CCTV footage, ultimately leading to the arrest of a 46-year-old Australian man who was allegedly preparing to leave the country.
The victim, identified as Miss Thanyachok Donhom Lao, also known as “Nong Kae,” was a native of Kalasin Province. According to authorities, she disappeared during the early hours of June 25 after she was last seen around 3:00 a.m. Concerned friends quickly took to social media, pleading for public assistance in locating the missing teenager before formally reporting her disappearance to Pattaya police.
Investigators immediately launched a search operation and began reviewing surveillance footage from locations around Pattaya. CCTV cameras at a condominium near Jomtien Soi 2 reportedly captured Nong Kae entering the building with a foreign man. Police stated that she was never seen leaving the condominium alive.
Approximately 15 hours later, surveillance footage allegedly showed the same man dragging a large black suitcase out of the condominium. Detectives expanded their investigation by tracing additional CCTV footage throughout Pattaya, which reportedly showed the suspect riding a motorcycle toward Chaiyaphruek Road 2 before later returning from the same direction.
Police subsequently raided a condominium unit located on the 15th floor of the 20-story building. Officers reportedly discovered signs of a violent struggle inside the room, although the suspect was no longer present. Investigators identified the occupant as Mr. Simon Peter Carman, a 46-year-old Australian national.
As the investigation intensified, authorities tracked the suspect to Suvarnabhumi Airport, where police alleged he had purchased a Jetstar Airways ticket and was preparing to board a flight back to Australia. Officers arrested him before his departure. Police said the suspect had multiple scratch marks across his body, which investigators are examining as part of the case.
Meanwhile, search teams continued following surveillance footage and conducting searches around areas visited by the suspect. At approximately 11:00 p.m. on June 26, authorities discovered a black suitcase abandoned beside railway tracks behind the Pattaya Siphak Nakhon Floating Market. Inside, investigators found the body of the missing teenager. Police said tattoos on the victim matched those of Nong Kae, leading to her identification. Authorities have ordered a full autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death.
During questioning, Mr. Carman denied any involvement in the teenager’s death. According to police, he claimed he had been asleep and insisted he knew nothing about the incident. Despite his denial, investigators detained him at Pattaya Police Station while legal proceedings continued. Authorities stated that the Pattaya Provincial Court initially approved an arrest warrant on charges related to child abduction, with additional charges expected to be considered as forensic evidence and the autopsy results become available.
The case has generated widespread public attention across Thailand due to the victim’s young age and the disturbing circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death. Investigators continue gathering forensic evidence, analyzing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses as they work to establish a complete timeline of events. Police have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that all allegations against the suspect will ultimately be determined through Thailand’s judicial process.