BANGKOK, Thailand — A Bangkok court has sentenced a man to life in prison for the January shooting death of a Cambodian opposition politician, a case widely viewed as politically motivated. Lim Kimya, a former lawmaker with the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, was shot in broad daylight near Khaosan Road, a popular area for tourists, prompting outrage and heightened concerns over political violence.
Ekkalak Pheanoi, the gunman, was apprehended following his escape to Cambodia after the shooting. After being arrested and subsequently deported, he confessed to authorities, claiming he was hired to carry out the assassination. Despite this confession, the court was unable to pinpoint the ultimate orchestrator of the crime, leaving lingering questions about who was behind the killing.
Initially charged with premeditated murder, Ekkalak received a death sentence, which was promptly commuted to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the investigation. He was also ordered to pay 1.7 million baht (approximately $55,100) in compensation to Lim’s family. Lim had been vocal on social media about the Cambodian government’s actions, making him a target amid the ongoing repression of dissent.
Security footage from the incident captured the moment Ekkalak approached on a motorbike, fired three shots, and fled the scene. The investigation has expanded to include two additional Cambodian suspects believed to have assisted in orchestrating the hit. Both men are thought to be in hiding in Cambodia, underscoring the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing transnational political violence.
Human rights advocates have described the killing as part of a troubling trend of extrajudicial actions against dissidents in Southeast Asia. In recent years, activists have expressed alarm over the treatment of political opponents across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where similar incidents of targeting dissenters have become increasingly prevalent.
Lim Kimya’s widow, represented by attorney Nadthasiri Bergman, is contemplating an appeal for higher compensation, while also urging authorities to intensify efforts to find the additional suspects involved in the assassination.
The political landscape in Cambodia has remained tense, particularly during the long tenure of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, whose administration faced extensive criticism for human rights violations. Although power was transferred to his son, Hun Manet, in August 2023, there has been little indication of meaningful political reforms.
Additionally, in a related ruling on the same day, the court acquitted another Thai man, Chakrit Buakhli, who was accused of assisting Ekkalak by transporting him post-shooting. The court determined that Buakhli was merely a driver and had no part in the crime, highlighting the complex dynamics surrounding this high-profile case.