By Deborah Nnamdi
Thai police have arrested a 46-year-old Australian national, identified as Simon Peter Carman, following the discovery of the body of a 17-year-old Thai girl inside a suitcase in the resort city of Pattaya.
Authorities said the suspect was taken into custody after questioning and is currently being held while investigators await the results of a post-mortem examination and other forensic evidence before filing formal charges.
Police said the charges under consideration include child abduction, murder, concealing a corpse and the abduction of a minor for sexual purposes. The suspect has denied any involvement in the alleged abduction and killing.
According to local media reports, Carman was arrested on Friday at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport while allegedly attempting to buy a ticket to Perth, Australia.
Investigators said CCTV footage showed the suspect entering a condominium in Pattaya with the teenage girl in the early hours of Thursday. Hours later, he was reportedly seen leaving the building carrying a large black suitcase, which he transported on the back of a motorcycle.
The suitcase was later found near a railway track, where police discovered the girl’s body bearing signs of violence.
The incident comes as Thailand intensifies scrutiny of foreign visitors. Last month, the country reduced the duration of visa-free stays following a series of high-profile cases involving foreigners accused of drug-related crimes, sex trafficking and operating illegal businesses.
Police said investigations are ongoing as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
