PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya City Police Chief Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyou has presented awards to members of the station’s investigation team in recognition of their work in solving a major case involving an Australian man accused of murdering a 17-year-old Thai woman. The awards were presented to Pol. Lt. Col. Suradet Imjai and Pol. Lt. Col. Thanet Saenghirun, both investigation officers at Pattaya City Police Station, on behalf of the wider investigative team.
The case dates back to June 25, when 17-year-old Thanchanok “Cake” Donhomla was seen entering a condominium in the Jomtien area with Australian national Simon Peter Carman in the early hours of the morning. Police later said CCTV footage showed Carman leaving the condominium alone with a large suitcase, which he transported on a motorcycle.
Thanchanok was subsequently reported missing, and her body was found inside a suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya two days later. Police arrested Carman at Suvarnabhumi Airport while he was preparing to leave Thailand and charged him with murder and other offences. He has denied the murder allegation and claimed he acted in self-defense.
The investigation drew widespread attention because of the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. Police said forensic evidence included DNA collected from Carman that allegedly matched DNA found on the victim. An autopsy later found that Thanchanok had suffered a brain injury and died from suffocation. Pol. Col. Anek praised the investigation team for its determination and professionalism in tracing the victim’s movements, examining evidence and locating the suspect.
Police have said the investigation was nearing completion, with officers expecting to submit the case file to prosecutors. The recognition ceremony was intended to acknowledge the investigators’ work while boosting morale among officers responsible for preventing and solving serious crimes in Pattaya. Pol. Col. Anek said effective investigative work remains essential to maintaining public safety and confidence among residents and tourists in Pattaya.
Earlier Report: https://www.pattayamail.com/news/australian-remains-in-custody-as-pattaya-teen-murder-probe-continues-556165
