News|CourtsCambodian former opposition politician’s killer jailed for life in ThailandLim Kimya was killed in January by Ekkalak Paenoi while visiting Bangkok with his wife, Anne-Marie Lim.
On Fri, Oct 6, 2023, the Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced Ekkalak Paenoi, a former marine, to life imprisonment for the murder of Lim Kimya, a former Cambodian opposition politician. Lim was shot dead on January 7, 2023, during his visit to Bangkok.
On Fri, Oct 6, 2023, the Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced Ekkalak Paenoi, a former marine, to life imprisonment for the murder of Lim Kimya, a former Cambodian opposition politician. Lim was shot dead on January 7, 2023, during his visit to Bangkok.
Ekkalak was apprehended in Cambodia the day following the incident and confessed to the crime. Initially, he received a death sentence for premeditated murder but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment due to his confession. The court also found him guilty of carrying a weapon and discharging a firearm in public, and ordered him to pay 1.79 million baht ($55,162) in compensation to the victim’s family.
Thai police are seeking to arrest Ly Ratanaksmey and Pich Kimsrin, two Cambodian nationals suspected of involvement in the murder. Charges against a second defendant, Thai national Chakrit Buakhil, were dismissed as he was deemed unaware of the crime while driving Ekkalak to the Cambodian border post-shooting.
Ekkalak was apprehended in Cambodia the day following the incident and confessed to the crime.
Lim Kimya was affiliated with the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved in 2018. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet and former Prime Minister Hun Sen have denied involvement in the murder. Historical tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been noted, including a conflict in July 2023 over undemarcated border areas.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.