Thai authorities detain Australian national found with juvenile's remains hidden in luggage

Authorities in Thailand have apprehended a 46-year-old Australian man in connection with the discovery of a 17-year-old girl's body found in a suitcase, according to reports from Saturday.

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The suspect, who has denied any involvement in the alleged abduction and murder of the teenager, was detained following an interrogation, as confirmed by a police official in Pattaya.

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Investigators are currently awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination and other evidence in the case, which will inform the decision to file charges, the police official stated.

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Possible charges against the suspect may include child abduction, murder, hiding a corpse, and abduction of a minor for sexual purposes, the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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According to media reports, the Australian suspect was arrested on Friday at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, where he was attempting to purchase a ticket to Perth, Australia.

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CCTV footage reportedly showed the suspect entering a condominium in Pattaya with the 17-year-old Thai girl in the early hours of Thursday, and emerging several hours later carrying a large black suitcase.

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The suspect then transported the suitcase on a motorbike, and it was later found by police near a railway track on Friday, containing the victim's body with visible signs of violence, as reported by the Pattaya News website.

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Thailand recently implemented a significant reduction in visa-free stays for tourists, following a string of high-profile arrests of foreigners involving drug offenses, sex trafficking, and unlicensed business operations, all of which occurred last month.