Thai teen promised to bring home clothes for her baby cousin, days before being found in suitcase in Pattaya

New details reveal what the 17-year-old had told her family before she travelled to Pattaya, where tragically she would be killed and stuffed in a suitcase days later.

Zosia Melanczuk
PerthNow
17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was found in a suitcase by a railway track in Pattaya.
17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was found in a suitcase by a railway track in Pattaya. Credit: The Pattaya News

Family of late Thai teenager Thanchanok Donhomla have revealed more about their daughter’s life and final days, including the selfless promise she made to her family just days before her shocking murder.

The 17-year-old had promised to bring home clothes for her baby cousin before she made the fateful journey to Pattaya — but tragically, the teen never returned.

Days after leaving her hometown, Ms Donhomla’s body was found in a suitcase along a railway line in the city.

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WA man Simon Peter Carman was arrested over her murder on June 26 as he attempted to board a Jetstar flight home to Perth.

In an interview with The Age, the teen’s family revealed details about why she ventured from her home town of Ban Bo, 600km south, to the bustling big city of Pattaya.

The teen went by the nickname ‘Cake’ and sometimes washed people’s dishes to help the family with expenses, her father Thongchai Donhomla told the publisher.

Her family described her as a “dutiful teenager” who looked after her great-aunts and cousin Wayu — who is just a baby that she promised to bring home clothes from her trip.

Simon Carman was arrested over the teen’s murder on June 26 as he attempted to board a Jetstar flight home to Perth.
Simon Carman was arrested over the teen’s murder on June 26 as he attempted to board a Jetstar flight home to Perth. Credit: The Pattaya News

Her family also said Miss Donhomla was a lonely teen, having been a victim of school bullying with few friends, and spent a lot of time in her room.

As far as her father knew, the teen left her hometown on June 16 to travel to Pattaya to “see the beach” and would soon return. But less than 10 days later, she would be found dead.

Mr Donhomla continued to say that he had been “immediately troubled” by police reports stating his daughter and accused killer Mr Carman had “agreed to engage in sexual services” after meeting near a beach at 3am on June 25.

Local police allege that a dispute erupted between the two over payment after allegedly agreeing to pay 1000 baht ($A44), but then only offering 500 baht when they arrived at his apartment.

Mr Carman, who has denied all charges against him and claimed he acted in self-defence, faces charges of murder, moving or concealing a body, and taking a minor for sexual purposes.

A murder conviction in Thailand carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Originally published on PerthNow

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