Thai Court Sentences Gunman to Life for Assassination of Cambodian Politician

A court in Bangkok has sentenced a Thai man to life imprisonment for the assassination of a Cambodian opposition politician. The ruling comes after the January 7, 2023, shooting of Lim Kimya, a former lawmaker from the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party. The incident was characterized as a political assassination, although the motives behind the attack remain unclear.

The shooting took place in broad daylight near the popular tourist area of Khaosan Road in Bangkok. The assailant, identified as Ekkalak Pheanoi, fled the scene immediately after the attack. He was later apprehended in Cambodia after being deported. In his confession, Ekkalak claimed he was hired to execute the shooting, although the court did not conclusively determine who orchestrated the attack.

On Friday, the Bangkok Criminal Court initially sentenced Ekkalak to death for the murder. However, this sentence was commuted to life imprisonment due to his confession and cooperation with authorities. The court also mandated that Ekkalak pay 1.7 million baht (approximately $55,100) in compensation to Lim Kimya’s family. The victim’s wife, represented by lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman, is considering an appeal for a higher compensation amount and is urging police to intensify efforts to locate two additional suspects involved in the case.

In the aftermath of Lim Kimya’s assassination, Thai police issued arrest warrants for two Cambodian men believed to have played a role in the incident. One is suspected of hiring Ekkalak, while the other allegedly helped identify Lim Kimya to the shooter. Both men are reportedly in hiding in Cambodia.

The incident has raised concerns about a pattern of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances affecting dissidents in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Before his death, Lim Kimya was known for his critical stance against the Cambodian government, often expressing his views on social media.

Security footage from the scene captured Ekkalak arriving on a motorcycle and firing three shots before fleeing the area. The footage shows the gunman, with his face uncovered, escaping the scene after the victim collapsed.

The political climate in Cambodia has been under scrutiny, particularly during the long tenure of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who faced widespread criticism for human rights violations, including suppression of free speech and persecution of political opponents. In August 2023, Hun Sen was succeeded by his son, Hun Manet, but significant political reforms have yet to materialize.

On the same day as Ekkalak’s sentencing, the court acquitted another man, Chakrit Buakhli, who was accused of aiding the shooter by transporting him to the Cambodian border. The court found that he had acted solely as a driver and was not implicated in the murder itself.

As the legal proceedings conclude, the implications of this case resonate beyond Thailand, highlighting ongoing issues related to political violence and human rights in the region.