Australian detained in Thailand after girl’s body found in suitcase

An Australian man has been arrested in Thailand after the body of a 17-year-old girl was discovered inside a suitcase in Pattaya, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Police said the suspect, who denies any role in the alleged kidnapping and killing, was taken into custody after interrogation.

Investigators are still awaiting autopsy findings and additional evidence before proceeding with formal charges, a police official told AFP.

The official said the potential offences under consideration include murder, child abduction, concealment of a body and “abduction of a minor for sexual purposes”.

Local media reports stated that the 46-year-old suspect was apprehended Friday at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport while reportedly trying to purchase a ticket to Perth, Australia.

According to CCTV footage cited in reports, the suspect entered a condo building in Pattaya alongside the teenage Thai girl during the early hours of Thursday.

He was later seen leaving the property carrying a large black suitcase, which he allegedly transported using a motorbike.

Authorities found the suitcase near a railway line on Friday, where they discovered the victim’s body bearing signs of violence, local outlet Pattaya News reported.

The case comes amid tighter immigration measures in Thailand, where officials last month reduced the duration of visa-free stays following several high-profile arrests involving foreign nationals linked to drug crimes, sex trafficking and illegal business operations.

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