Thai police have arrested Simon Carman, a 46-year-old Australian man, in connection with the suspected murder of a 17-year-old girl whose body was discovered inside a suitcase near the resort city of Pattaya on June 27, 2026.
The arrest took place at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport as Carman was preparing to board a flight to Perth, Australia.
Investigators reported that security cameras captured the girl entering a condominium with Carman in the early hours of Thursday. Hours later, separate footage showed him leaving the building with a large black suitcase, which he loaded onto a motorbike before riding away.
The girl’s naked body was later found dumped near a railway line, not far from where she was last seen.
Authorities indicated that the girl had suffered severe injuries, including heavy bruising to her face. The alarm was raised when her friends reported her missing on Friday afternoon, prompting an investigation that traced her final movements to the room she had entered with the suspect.
Police then alerted immigration officials, who intercepted Carman at the airport.
Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyu, who heads the Pattaya City Police Station, stated that officers believe Carman is responsible for the murder and are currently questioning him on suspicion of murder. He reportedly bore fingernail scratches that were consistent with a struggle. When questioned about marks on his neck, Carman attributed them to a spider.
Carman now faces multiple charges, including murder, concealing a body, and taking a minor for an indecent purpose. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to Carman but has refrained from further comments on the ongoing investigation.
This arrest comes in the wake of Thailand's recent decision to shorten visa-free stays for tourists, a move that follows rising concerns over crimes involving foreigners, including drug offenses and trafficking.
