A Perth man accused of murdering a Thai teenager has agreed to change his plea to a lesser charge, as his victim's family pushes for the death penalty.
Simon Peter Carman, 45, allegedly picked up 17-year-old Thanchanok Donhomla in Pattaya on June 25, before killing her and disposing of her body.
He was arrested at Bangkok’s international airport on June 27, and originally denied all charges against him after claiming to authorities he acted in self-defence, and said the death was "out of my control".
However, in court yesterday he pleaded guilty to concealing her body but continued to deny three other charges, including murder, a crime that in Thailand carries the death penalty or life behind bars.
Outside court, the victim's aunt Miruntree Thanachai said the family “wants the court to sentence the death penalty because we've lost our family member”.
The court hearing was also reportedly the first time Donhomla's father came face to face with the man accused of murdering his daughter.
"I feel angry, and got angrier listening to Simon denying the charges, not admitting to the crime, even daring to claim self-defence, saying he was threatened," he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"I want to punch him," he added.
Carman remained detained at Pattaya Remand Prison.
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