Thai police arrested an Australian man at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday evening after the body of a 17-year-old girl was discovered in a suitcase abandoned near railway tracks behind the Pattaya Floating Market. The suspect, who was preparing to board a flight to Perth, was taken into custody following an interrogation, according to a Pattaya police official.

The victim, identified by police as Tunchanok Donhomla, was last seen on CCTV entering a condominium in the seaside resort with the man in the early hours of Thursday. Footage later showed him leaving the building alone several hours later, pulling a large black suitcase which he then transported on the back of a motorbike. Police found the suitcase on Friday; the body inside bore signs of violence, and officers reported finding evidence of a struggle in the condominium. Immigration police at the airport had received a watch notice to prevent the man from leaving Thailand.

Thai authorities say the suspect denies involvement in the teenager’s alleged abduction and murder. However, one Brazilian media report, citing the local website Pattaya News, states that the man later confessed, claiming he acted in self-defence. Most outlets report the suspect’s age as 46, though some Italian media initially gave it as 42. Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination and forensic evidence before filing formal charges, which could include child abduction, murder, concealment of a body, and abduction of a minor for sexual purposes. No motive has been suggested by investigators.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Thailand but declined to comment further, citing privacy obligations. The arrest comes weeks after Thailand reduced the length of visa-free stays for tourists, a move that followed a series of high-profile arrests of foreigners for drug offences, sex trafficking, and operating unlicensed businesses. The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to examine forensic evidence, review additional surveillance footage, and interview witnesses.