Australian Simon Carman to Face Trial in Thailand for Teen's Death

Australian truck driver Simon Peter Carman, 45, is scheduled to stand trial in Pattaya on December 8, 9, and 11 for the death of 17-year-old Thai national Tunchanok 'Cake' Donhomla. During a procedural hearing on October 12, Carman pleaded guilty to concealing the teenager's body but maintained his innocence on the murder charge.

Prosecutors allege Carman hid Donhomla's naked body inside a black suitcase and dumped it near railway tracks on June 27. An autopsy found the victim suffered a brain injury and died from suffocation. Carman was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport attempting to board a flight to Perth the same day the body was discovered.

“Why should I plead guilty? I would be lying to myself and everyone.”

Carman claims he acted in self-defence after Donhomla held a knife to his throat during a dispute over money. He admits squeezing her jaw during a struggle but denies strangling her. The judge urged Carman to plead guilty to murder to argue self-defence, but he refused, stating it would be a lie.

The victim's relatives confronted Carman in court, demanding an apology. Carman responded by blaming Donhomla for her own death. Prosecutors plan to call seven witnesses during the December proceedings, with a verdict potentially arriving in January.