An Australian man has been arrested in Thailand after the body of a 17-year-old Thai girl was discovered inside a suitcase near a railway line in Pattaya, shocking both local authorities and the international community.

Thai police allege the 45-year-old suspect was the last person seen with the teenager after CCTV footage reportedly captured the pair entering a hotel together before he was later seen leaving with a large suitcase.

The suspect was detained at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport while allegedly attempting to board a flight to Australia. He has been charged with murder, concealing a body and offences involving a minor, but has denied all allegations.

Investigators say the teenager’s body showed signs of a violent assault, while police allege scratch marks on the suspect’s body are consistent with a struggle. Forensic examinations and further investigations are continuing.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the detained Australian citizen but has declined to comment further due to privacy obligations.