An Australian man accused of murdering a 17-year-old Thai girl has been transferred to the hospital wing of Pattaya Remand Prison for his own safety while awaiting trial.
According to the Daily Mail, 45-year-old Simon Carman from Perth is being housed separately from the general prison population after prison authorities deemed him a high-risk inmate who could face threats from other prisoners.
Carman was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport last Friday after Thai police alleged he was attempting to flee the country by boarding a flight back to Australia.
He is accused of strangling 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla before allegedly placing her body inside a suitcase and abandoning it in a grassy area near railway tracks.
Prison officials said Carman is currently staying in a hospital ward with about five other inmates. Although he is not ill or injured, authorities said the arrangement is purely for his protection.
“He is not sick, but we keep him there because he is a hard prisoner. This is our policy,” a prison commander told the Daily Mail.
Officials also revealed that Carman has shown little emotion since being taken into custody.
According to prison authorities, he has not cried, appeared distressed or displayed any visible reaction over the allegations against him.
“He does not cry, he does not look sad. He is normal. Just normal,” the commander said, adding that he is not considered a troublesome inmate but would likely face danger if placed in the general prison population.
Carman has also not received any visitors since his arrest. Prison officials said neither his family nor friends have requested permission to see him, and Carman himself has not submitted any visitor requests.
Under prison regulations, newly admitted inmates are not allowed visitors for the first 10 days. Any future visitors must either be approved family members or individuals whose names have been submitted and verified by prison authorities.
Pattaya Remand Prison follows a strict daily routine, beginning with a 5.30am wake-up call, followed by cell cleaning, breakfast and an 8am assembly.
If convicted of murdering the teenage girl, Carman could face life imprisonment or the death penalty under Thai law.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing Carman with consular assistance while legal proceedings continue.
