Australian man accused of murdering Thai teenager and putting body in suitcase pleads not guilty

An Australian man accused of murdering a Thai teenager and putting her body in a suitcase pleaded not guilty on Friday in a hearing in the seaside resort city of Pattaya, a court official said.

Simon Peter Carman, 45, was arrested in June after 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was reported missing in Pattaya City, about 150km south-east of Bangkok. A suitcase containing her body was found shortly after.

Police said she died of suffocation.

Carman appeared on Friday at Pattaya provincial court, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges, a court spokesperson said.

He had been charged with murder, concealing a body and taking a minor for indecent purposes. The next court date was set for 12 October.

Police previously said CCTV footage showed him entering a condominium in Pattaya with the girl in the early hours of 25 June, and leaving that evening carrying a large black suitcase.

In a police interrogation video shared online by Thai media, Carman has said he was acting in self-defence because the girl was threatening him with a knife.

The case put the spotlight on Pattaya, which is popular with foreign tourists for its beaches and nightlife, but also has a reputation for sex tourism.