PUBLISHED: 12 Jan 2025 at 14:13
The gunman responsible for the assassination of a former Cambodian opposition MP in inner Bangkok last week is reportedly unwilling to disclose the identity of the mastermind behind the attack, citing concerns for his family’s safety, according to police sources.
Pol Maj Gen Atthaporn Wongsiripreeda, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, stated that Ekkalak Pheanoi was interrogated until late Saturday evening. He admitted to the assassination but declined to reveal any further details.
The 42-year-old suspect, identified as a former marine, confessed to the killing of Lim Kimya in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district, where he was captured on security footage during the incident and subsequent escape.
Despite confessing, Ekkalak expressed reluctance to provide additional information, fearing retaliation against his family and associates.
During custody, Ekkalak denied visits from relatives, including his mother, and indicated a desire to face punishment, declining to engage further with authorities about the orchestrators of the assassination.
A police source confirmed that while Ekkalak admitted his guilt, he refused to implicate others involved, prioritizing the safety of his loved ones.
Following the murder, Ekkalak fled to Cambodia, where he was apprehended and later extradited back to Thailand.
Lim Kimya, 73, had traveled to Bangkok from Siem Reap, Cambodia, just days before his death. He was shot in front of his wife and brother by an assailant waiting at the scene.
A member of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, Lim was targeted amidst political turmoil surrounding allegations of treason against the party’s leadership in the lead-up to the 2018 elections. The party has consistently denied these charges, attributing them to political oppression by the ruling regime.
Lim Kimya’s family is now making arrangements to transport his body to France for burial, with the remains currently housed at Vajira Hospital in Bangkok.
