Cambodian PM denies govt behind killing of ex-lawmaker in Bangkok

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet denied on Monday his government and father, former leader Hun Sen, were involved in the killing of an opposition politician in downtown Bangkok this month.

Lim Kimya, a former lawmaker for the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was shot dead on January 7 by a motorcyclist as he arrived in Bangkok by bus from Cambodia with his French wife.

Thai national Ekkalak Paenoi was arrested in Cambodia a day later and handed over to Thai authorities.

He confessed to the crime in a livestream video after being charged with premeditated murder and unauthorised gun ownership.

Cambodia’s exiled opposition figure Sam Rainsy accused the country’s powerful former leader Hun Sen of ordering the shooting.

Hun Manet “condemned the killing” and denied the government or his father were behind the murder.

“I want to ask: Why would the government be so stupid?” Hun Manet said at an event in western Pursat province.

“If the government orchestrated it… why would we arrest the killer and send him to Thailand for an investigation?”

Hun Manet said his government had been “accused unfairly” and that Phnom Penh also wanted to know the motive for the murder, with authorities ready to cooperate with their Thai counterparts.

He said opposition figures were politicising the killing for their own “political benefits”.

Thai police said last week that they were hunting a Cambodian national believed to be the mastermind behind the killing.

Public broadcaster ThaiPBS reported that the Cambodian, identified as Somwang Bamrungkit, 43, faces charges of hiring someone to commit murder and unauthorised possession and use of a firearm.

Thai police also arrested last week a driver accused of helping the Thai gunman escape.

Some Thai media reports said Ekkalak was paid 60,000 baht ($1,700) for the killing but police say he has claimed he did not receive payment and took the job “to pay a debt of gratitude”.

Hun Sen ruled Cambodia with an iron fist for nearly four decades, with rights groups accusing him of using the legal system to crush opposition.

He stepped down and handed power to his son in 2023 but is still seen as a major power in the kingdom.