Suspect Ekalak Paenoi, 41 years old
Photo: Cambodian Police
The suspect named Ekalak Paenoi, 41 years old, a former Thai marine, escaped across the border to Cambodia after shooting dead Mr. Lim Kimya, a 73-year-old former parliamentarian of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, on the afternoon of January 7. .
The subject was stopped at a restaurant in Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia at about 4:30 p.m. on January 8, according to the newspaper. The Bangkok Post.
Cambodian police coordinated with investigators from the Thai Metropolitan Police Department in the search for the suspect. Ekalak was then taken to Phnom Penh for further questioning.
Former Cambodian opposition lawmaker shot dead in Bangkok
Police sources revealed that Cambodian authorities are expected to punish Ekalak for illegal entry before deporting him to Thailand.
Police said the suspect, also nicknamed “Sergeant Em”, once joined the marines of the Royal Thai Navy and currently runs a motorbike taxi. This person has a criminal history.
Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Director of the Thai Capital Police Department, said Ekalak most likely hired a gun and assassinated him as requested.
After that, the police released the image of the person who allegedly pointed out the target for Ekalak to assassinate. The informant was a Cambodian citizen and was on the same bus that the victim, his wife and relatives took from Siem Reap to Bangkok on January 7.
Mr. Lim Kimya, 73, arrived in Bangkok a few hours before he was assassinated in front of his wife and relatives. The suspect fired a total of 3 shots. Forensic investigation results showed that the bullet hit the victim’s heart and liver.
