Cambodian Prime Minister Denies Involvement in Bangkok Opposition Leader’s Murder

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has firmly denied any involvement by his government or his father, the former leader Hun Sen, in the murder of Lim Kimya, an opposition politician. The assassination took place in downtown Bangkok on January 7, when a motorcyclist fatally shot Lim as he arrived by bus from Cambodia with his French wife. The incident has sparked international intrigue and raised questions about political motivations.

Thai authorities are actively pursuing leads, with a Cambodian national believed to be the mastermind behind the killing. Last week, they arrested a driver accused of aiding the Thai gunman in his escape. Furthermore, Cambodian national Somwang Bamrungkit, aged 43, was apprehended in Cambodia and subsequently transferred to Thai custody. He faces charges related to hiring someone to commit murder and unauthorized possession and use of a firearm.

In addition, Thai national Ekkalak Paenoi was detained in Cambodia shortly after the killing and handed over to Thai authorities. Ekkalak has claimed he did not receive payment for the murder but undertook the task "to pay a debt of gratitude." Thai media reports suggest that Ekkalak may have been paid 60,000 baht (approximately US$1,700) for the assassination.

Hun Manet has publicly condemned the murder and reiterated that neither the Cambodian government nor his father were involved. His father, Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia with an iron fist for nearly four decades, stepped down in 2023, passing leadership to his son. Despite stepping down, Hun Sen is still perceived as a significant power in the kingdom. His tenure was marked by accusations from rights groups of using legal systems to suppress opposition.

Lim Kimya's death marks another chapter in Cambodia's turbulent political landscape. He was a former lawmaker for the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which had been dissolved under Hun Sen's rule. The killing has raised concerns about the safety of opposition figures and the lengths to which political rivalries may escalate.