Bangkok/Cambodia-
Thai authorities have arrested a suspect linked to the daylight murder of Lim Kimya, a prominent Cambodian opposition politician and former Member of Parliament (MP), in Bangkok.
Lim Kimya, aged 74, who held dual Cambodian-French citizenship, was shot dead in what is now believed to be a politically motivated attack which we covered here yesterday on TPN Media.
On the evening of January 7th, 2025, Lim Kimya was ambushed near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district. He had arrived in the Thai accompanied by his French wife and Cambodian uncle. Soon after disembarking, he was approached by a then unidentified gunman on a red Honda Wave 100 motorcycle who allegedly executed the shooting and then fled the scene.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect removing his helmet before crossing the street, moments before three gunshots were heard, leading to Lim Kimya’s immediate death at the scene. Following the incident, Thai police swiftly launched an investigation, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Ekkalak “Em” Paenoi, identified as a 41-year-old motorcycle taxi driver and former military, with a criminal record related to financial issues. He was charged with premeditated murder, carrying a firearm in public without a valid reason, and discharging a firearm in a public area.
The arrest was confirmed on January 8th, 2025, after police managed to track down the suspect. Lim Kimya was a well-known figure in Cambodian politics, having served as an MP for the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was dissolved in 2017. His death comes at a time when Cambodia is under global scrutiny for alleged political repression, with many opposition figures, NGO activists, and human rights defenders having fled to Thailand and other countries fearing persecution.
The international community, including human rights organizations, has expressed major concern over this incident. Phil Robertson of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates described the killing as a “political assassination” and a “significant escalation in the use of transnational repression in Bangkok.”
Calls have been made for a thorough and transparent investigation, with the French government being urged to press for justice given Lim Kimya’s citizenship.
Thai police are still investigating whether Ekkalak may have been hired by someone else and if he was working with others, such as a potential spotter.
