In a surprising turn of events, a man suspected of killing a former Cambodian lawmaker has been handed over to Thai authorities. Ekkalak Paenoi, a 41-year-old Thai national, is accused of shooting Lim Kimya, a 74-year-old ex-politician from the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Lim Kimya, who held both Cambodian and French citizenship, was gunned down in Bangkok just hours after arriving from Cambodia with his family. The brutal attack left many questions unanswered, with neither the police nor the Thai government able to determine the motive behind the killing.

Ekkalak, a former marine turned motorcycle taxi driver, was arrested in Cambodia after crossing the border. He was extradited to Thailand, where a court had issued a warrant for his arrest. "The suspect confessed to the crime and matched the description in the arrest warrant, " said Somprasong Yentuam, an assistant national police chief.

The political landscape in Cambodia has been turbulent, with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) accused of a relentless crackdown on opposition figures. Many politicians and activists have faced imprisonment or fled the country. However, the government denies persecuting the opposition.

Lim Kimya wasn't a high-profile member of the CNRP, which was disbanded by a court over an alleged treason plot ahead of the 2018 election. Despite the party's dismissal of the allegations as fabrications, the CPP has maintained its grip on power for over four decades.

Ekkalak's stressful demeanor during his handover to Thai authorities suggests the gravity of the situation. The case highlights the complexities of political tensions spilling over into neighboring countries.

Bangkok Hitman: The Arrested Assassin of a Cambodian Ex-Lawmaker

Former Cambodian lawmaker Lim Kimya was shot and killed in Bangkok. He was a dual citizen of Cambodia and France. A gunman on a motorcycle opened fire as Lim Kimya arrived in the city by bus from Siem Reap with his wife and uncle. Thai police are investigating the motive behind this brazen attack.

Lim Kimya, 74, was a member of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP). He was elected to parliament in 2013. The party was later dissolved by court order in 2017, banning many opposition politicians from political activities. Despite the crackdown, Lim Kimya remained committed to politics.

Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights Labour Advocates, called the shooting a political assassination. "This looks like a significant escalation in transnational repression, " he stated. The Cambodian government, however, denied any involvement in Lim Kimya's death. They stressed that what happens in Thailand is the responsibility of the Thai government.

The CNRP was once considered a major political rival to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party. Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades, has been accused of using the legal system to suppress opposition. Many opposition figures were jailed or forced into exile.

Lim Kimya did not leave Cambodia after the CNRP's dissolution. Even though he held French citizenship, he chose to stay and continue his political activities. "I will never give up politics, " he told reporters in 2017.