‘I Won’t Trade My Daughter’s Dignity for Money’: Thai Family Rejects Compensation as Australian Faces Calls for De-a-th Penalty
Loved ones of a Thai teenager allegedly murdered by a Perth truck driver say they’re unlikely to accept any compensation offered by the accused, demanding a life for a life.
Thanchanok Donhomla, 17, was farewelled in her north-east Thailand hometown on Sunday in a ritual to give her a peaceful afterlife.
The body of Thanchanok Donhomla was found stuffed in a suitcase in Thailand. Supplied
Police allege Simon Peter Carman, 45, murdered her in his hotel room last month near the resort town of Pattaya, south of Bangkok.
“I was shocked, I couldn’t accept it, but I didn’t know what to do,” her father said on Sunday.
In Thailand, accused criminals can pay compensation to victims or their families to reduce jail time.
But it’s understood the teenager’s father won’t accept any payment to make up for her death, if Carman is found guilty.
“It depends on the legal process, but if I’m being honest, I want him executed,” he said.
Her great aunt wants life for a life, saying he “should receive what he deserved”, if he is found guilty.
Carman has been charged by Thai police with killing a teenage girl. Supplied
The Kalasin community on Sunday performed a ritual wishing Thanchanok a peaceful afterlife.
Her bedroom was left bare, and most of her possessions cremated alongside her body.
Thai police alleged her body was in a suitcase in the bathroom of Carman’s rented room just south of Pattaya for hours before he dumped it near train tracks about 10 minutes away early on June 27.
He was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at almost the same time the body was found, as police investigated a missing persons report by Thanchanok’s friend.
The Kalasin community on Sunday performed a ritual wishing Thanchanok Donhomla a peaceful afterlife. 9News
Carman is receiving consular assistance, including welfare checks and communicating with his family back in WA, as he awaits a court date in Thailand.
He has denied murdering Thanchanok, and Thai police have said he claimed she tried to rob him.
“I had my wallet open to get my money out, next thing I know there’s a knife in my face,” Carman claimed in a video recorded by police.
The great aunt and father of Thai teenager Thanchanok Donhomla, allegedly murdered by a Perth truck driver, say they’re unlikely to accept any compensation offered by the accused. 9News
Police claimed Carman admitted to placing the girl’s body in the suitcase.
“I feel bad for what happened to your daughter. It was out of my control. I know you’ll be very sad, upset, same (as) me,” Carman said in a video message to the teen’s family.
