A Thai woman revealed she spent a night in the “stinky” room of accused suitcase killer Simon Carman just weeks before he allegedly murdered and dumped the body of a 17-year-old girl.
The West Aussie is accused of killing teenager Tunchanok Donhomla and stuffing her body in suitcase before dumping it near railway tracks in Pattaya and trying to flee the country on Jetstar flight to Perth.
Mum-of-two Tang Chai, 43, has now revealed she met the Perth man in a 7-Eleven just weeks before the alleged murder.
“Simon say hello at 7-Eleven and ask for my number,” she told the Daily Mail.
“He send me messages on WhatsApp same day and ask me out for a date. But I tell him I cannot. I tell him I need money from customers and cannot come for free.”
Ms Chai had moved to Pattaya just six months prior after hearing it was easy to make money in the red light district, and hoped to make enough to send money back home to her children.
Mr Carman then booked Ms Chai for an hour the following day, agreeing to pay a set fee.
Recalling her experience with the accused killer, she said she was immediately struck by the foul smell as she entered his accommodation.
“The room was so stinky, smelled musty,” she said.
“It was very strong and messy everywhere.”
Ms Chai said she engaged in sexual activity with Mr Carman, despite claiming his health issues complicated the situation.
Ms Chai said Mr Carman paid her set fee of ฿3500 ($150 AUD) without question and added a tip of ฿200 ($8.50 AUD).
The woman said she initially felt safe in his company, until his demeanour changed later over text when she asked if he would like to see her again.
“If you’d like to see me again, you can call me,” she wrote in a text message.
“No, ฿3500 ($150 AUD) is a scam,” he replied.
After hearing news of Miss Donhomla’s death, the woman said she was “so scared”.
“I could not sleep for three days thinking about what happened to the girl. I feel sick and worry (thinking it could have) happened to me.”
It is understood that Mr Carman was a frequent customer across bars in Pattaya, often buying young women drinks and offering them massages and gifts.
Mr Carman is charged with the teen’s murder and is being held in Pattaya Remand Prison.
He faces the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted.
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