Murder in the Heart of Bangkok
A Thai courtroom delivers a sensational verdict. Former police officer Ekkalak Paenoi is sentenced to life in prison for the cold-blooded murder of Lim Kimya, a 74-year-old Cambodian opposition politician.
The killing unfolds on 7 January 2025, just after 5:30pm. Tourists throng Khaosan Road. Suddenly, shots ring out near a bustling shopping centre. Lim Kimya, once a leading member of the Cambodian National Rescue Party, collapses—fatally wounded.
Ekkalak confesses in court. His co-accused, Chakrit Buakhil, denies any part in the killing. But the evidence against Ekkalak is overwhelming. The judge calls it a “premeditated and deliberate act.”
Death Sentence Reduced After Confession
Initially, the court hands Ekkalak the death penalty. But his admission of guilt changes everything. The sentence is commuted to life behind bars.
There’s more. Ekkalak must pay 1.79 million Baht to Lim’s widow, Anne-Marie Lim, plus 5% annual interest from 30 September 2025. The judge is blunt: “He murdered with intent and carried illegal weapons.”
Acquittal for Alleged Accomplice
Chakrit Buakhil, the second man in the dock, walks free. The court finds the evidence against him too thin for a conviction.
Chakrit admits he drove Ekkalak to the scene, but insists he knew nothing of the plot. The judge agrees: “This was a routine transaction, with no proof of involvement in the shooting.” All charges against Chakrit are dropped.
For Lim’s grieving family, the decision is hard to accept.
Political Motives Suspected
Lim Kimya is no ordinary victim. He’s a prominent critic of Cambodia’s regime. His assassination sparks whispers of a political hit.
Was this a targeted attack on a dissident? The court refuses to speculate, focusing only on the crime itself. Yet experts believe the murder may be linked to Cambodia’s tense political climate.
The killing happens on foreign soil—perhaps to avoid international scrutiny.
Justice Served—But Questions Remain
Ekkalak Paenoi now faces life in a Thai prison. Lim’s family gains some measure of justice. But the masterminds behind the killing remain in the shadows.
This case threatens to strain Thai-Cambodian relations. And it’s a stark warning: political activism in Southeast Asia can come at a deadly price.
