Australian suspect in Pattaya murder pleads not guilty after indictment

The Australian suspect in the killing of a Thai girl on Friday denied the allegation and other charges after prosecutors referred him to the Pattaya Provincial Court.

Simon Peter Carman pleaded not guilty to four charges, maintaining that what he did was in self-defence, according to ABC of Australia.

Mr Carman, 46, was before the court for his hearing after prosecutors on Thursday indicted him for intentionally murdering Thanchanok Donhomlah, 17, from Kalasin. Along with murder, he was accused of three other charges: hiding and destroying the corpse, taking a minor away from their parents or guardian for indecent activity, and engaging in indecent behaviour with a minor.

Thanchanok's murdered corpse was placed in a suitcase and dropped by a railway track in Pattaya on June 26, one day after she was reportedly seen with Mr Carman. She had been reported missing the day earlier.

The Australian was later arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport attempting to return to his home country. Australian media said his destination was Perth in the country's west.

His statement to the court on Friday reiterated the position he made with police after the arrest in June. He told the police at the time that he acted in self-defence with no intention to kill.

Mr Carman has applied for bail but prosecutors have moved to opposte the request, ABC said. The court's decision has yet been made public.