41-Year-Old Thai Ex-Marine Captured in Cambodia Following Assassination of Former Cambodian Opposition Politician
A Thai man, Ekalak Paenoi, aged 41, has been apprehended in Cambodia in connection with the shooting death of former Cambodian opposition MP Lim Kimya in Bangkok. Police reported his arrest on Wednesday evening.
Paenoi was taken into custody at a restaurant in Battambang province around 4:30 PM on Wednesday after fleeing Thailand following the fatal shooting that occurred on Tuesday evening. He is believed to have acted as a hired gun in this high-profile case.
Cambodian law enforcement, in collaboration with investigators from Bangkok, relocated the suspect to the Battambang Provincial command center and subsequently transferred him to the Internal Security Command in Phnom Penh for further interrogation.
Authorities are expected to charge Paenoi with illegal entry into Cambodia before initiating extradition proceedings back to Thailand. He is known to have a criminal history, including an outstanding warrant for asset-related crimes.
Police have indicated that Paenoi, who also goes by the nickname “Sergeant Em,” had served in the Royal Thai Navy’s marine corps and was employed as a motorcycle taxi driver at the time of his arrest.
According to police sources, there is a possibility that a spotter identified Lim Kimya as a target for the hitman. A photograph of an individual believed to be the spotter has been released; this person reportedly traveled on the same tourist bus as the victim from Siem Reap to Bangkok.
The shooting took place in a crowded area near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, resulting in the immediate death of Lim Kimya, aged 73. Eyewitnesses recounted the shocking escalation as three shots rang out, leaving the victim fatally wounded in front of his family.
An autopsy revealed severe injuries, including ruptured organs from the gunfire. The assailant fled the scene on a motorcycle, later abandoned at a nearby petrol station.
Investigators tracked Paenoi’s movements to Sa Kaeo province, where he crossed the border into Cambodia. A Thai police team had been monitoring the situation closely prior to his detention.
Political Implications
Lim Kimya was affiliated with the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which faced dissolution in 2018 due to alleged treason charges, widely viewed as politically motivated actions taken by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
In light of the assassination, a Cambodian government spokesperson noted that the matter falls under Thai jurisdiction, dismissing allegations of involvement by the Cambodian authorities.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed a commitment to thoroughly investigate the incident while emphasizing public safety and the importance of proper legal proceedings.
The Cambodian government has been criticized for its longstanding repression of political dissent, with human rights organizations indicating that many opposition members face intimidation and harassment.
In response to the killing, prominent human rights advocate Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit urged swift action from Thai authorities, calling on government leaders to ensure a comprehensive investigation and accountability for those involved.
As tensions rise, the slaying of Lim Kimya coincides with statements from Hun Sen advocating for stricter laws against perceived political threats against his government, intensifying concerns over political safety in the region.
