HE SAYS HE WAS JUST DEFENDING HIMSELF — TUNCHANOK DONHOMLA’S HEARTBROKEN FAMILY REACTS AS ACCUSED KI-LLER CLAIMS SHE ATTACKED HIM WITH A KNIFE
The father of a Thai teen found stuffed in a suitcase after she was allegedly murdered says he does not want to hear an apology from the Australian man charged over her death.
Simon Peter Carman, 45, remains in Pattaya Remand Prison accused of Tunchanok Donhomla’s murder but says “I have not done anything wrong”.
He said he was acting in self-defence because the 17-year-old attacked him with a knife as they argued over money.
“I feel deeply sad. I obviously wish it never happened, but it was unavoidable,” Carman told the ABC.
“All I was trying to do was restrain her from stabbing me.”
Carmen allegedly met the girl, known locally as “Cake”, in the resort city of Pattaya — about two hours south of Bangkok — in June.
CCTV footage allegedly showed the pair holding hands as they entered his apartment, however only Carman was ever seen leaving.
Tunchanok’s body was found stuffed in a suitcase and dumped near train tracks after she was allegedly murdered.
Pattaya City Police has confirmed to 7NEWS that autopsy results found Donhomla suffered a brain injury and died of suffocation.
“I want to oppose (Carman’s) release on bail,” Tunchanok’s father told 7NEWS on Monday.
“I have already lost my child.”
Carman told the ABC “I really feel remorse for her family”.
Tunchanok’s father told 7NEWS: “I don’t want to hear his apology. If he is truly a man, then if he has done something, he should have the courage to accept responsibility for it.”
Carman, a truck driver, was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport while preparing to board a flight back to Perth, where he had previously lived in an unassuming industrial unit in Rockingham.
Thai police finished their investigation last week and the case will be handed over to prosecutors.
Carman has been charged with murder, concealing a corpse, and abducting a minor.
If found guilty, he faces life in prison or the death penalty.
It is understood he has still not appointed a lawyer.
“I had only one child,” Tunchanok’s father said.
“We placed all our hopes in our child and now they are gone.”
