A suspected hitman accused of assassinating a former Cambodian opposition lawmaker in a bold attack in Bangkok, Thailand, has been apprehended in Cambodia following an intensive manhunt, according to a senior Thai police official on Wednesday.
The arrest was made after Thai authorities collaborated with their Cambodian counterparts upon discovering the suspect had crossed the border.
“The Cambodian police have arrested him,” said Metropolitan Police Chief Sayam Boonsom in a statement to Reuters.
He added that Thailand is preparing a formal extradition request for the suspect, who is identified as a Thai citizen.
The victim, Lim Kimya, a 74-year-old former member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, arrived in Thailand just hours before he was fatally shot.
According to an unnamed police source, the gunman fired three shots at him.
Lim Kimya, a dual Cambodian and French national, had crossed into Thailand from Cambodia on Tuesday at noon with his wife and brother. After traveling to Bangkok by bus, he was gunned down.
The CNRP, a prominent opposition party, was dissolved by a court ahead of Cambodia’s 2018 elections over accusations of treason—a charge the party has long dismissed as baseless.
A Thai court issued an arrest warrant earlier on Wednesday for the alleged shooter, a 41-year-old former Marine who also worked as a motorcycle taxi driver, three Thai police officers told Reuters.
Attempts to Save the Victim
Photos from the crime scene showed Lim Kimya lying in a pool of blood, dressed in a blue polo shirt and white shorts, while a police officer attempted to resuscitate him. Nearby, a small blue suitcase rested on the ground.
Deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, Bryony Lau, urged accountability, stating, “Thai authorities should promptly and thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible.”
She also highlighted Cambodia’s pattern of “intimidating, surveilling, and harassing former CNRP members,” including those in exile in Thailand.
Meanwhile, Cambodian government spokesperson Pen Bona dismissed any suggestions of involvement, emphasizing that the incident fell under Thai jurisdiction.
“The Cambodian government is often accused by opposition ‘extremists’ of being behind incidents,” he remarked.
Thai authorities vowed to conduct a comprehensive investigation, acknowledging public safety concerns.
“The Thai authorities are giving the case its due attention, noting apparent public safety concerns,” said Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura.
Both the Cambodian and French embassies have yet to comment on the incident.
Cambodia’s government, dominated by the Cambodian People’s Party for over four decades, has faced criticism for its crackdown on opposition figures, which has included prison sentences, exile, and harassment.
Despite this, authorities stressed that Lim Kimya was not a prominent figure within the opposition, and the motive for his killing remains unclear.
