AN ARREST warrant has been issued for a Cambodian man on charges of hiring a former Thai Marine gunman to kill ex-Cambodian MP Mr. Lim Kimya in Bangkok’s Banglamphu area on Jan. 7, Naewna newspaper and PPTVHD36 channel said this morning (Jan. 15).
Three charges have been filed against Mr. Rattanaraksmey Ly, whose Thai name is Somwang Bamrungkit, 43, including hiring another person in premeditated murder, carrying a firearm in public without reasonable cause and firing it.
Chana Songkram police investigators have collected scientific and financial evidence showing that the two transfers of 30,000 baht each to the suspect Mr. Ekalak Paenoi, the ex-Marine gunman whose nickname is “Sgt. Em Kongruea”, were linked to Ly’s movements as records show he travelled in and out of Thailand 68 times since 2023 (34 entries and 34 exits).
The Cambodian suspect entered Thailand at around 10 a.m. on Jan. 3 through the permanent border crossing at Ban Khlong Luek, Sa Kaeo province, and at around 5 p.m. on Jan. 5 flew to Laos from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
He flew back from Laos to Bangkok at 10 p.m. the next day and on Jan. 8 returned to Cambodia via the permanent checkpoint in Ban Laem, Chanthaburi province, at approximately 7.35 a.m.
Ly’s return to Thailand on the eve of Lim Kimya’s murder and another Cambodian suspect, identified as Mr. Kim, 24, having travelled to Bangkok on the same bus as the deceased former MP raised suspicions.
The second Cambodian suspect, who is believed to have pointed the target to Ekalak, flew back to Cambodia the next morning, Jan. 8.
Police also arrested another Thai suspect, Mr. Chakit or “Chamnan,” 47, at a house in Chonburi on the charges of assisting or facilitating another person in premeditated murder even though he was unaware of the crime that took place.
A vehicle parked in front of the house matched surveillance camera images of the getaway vehicle.
Chakrit admitted to driving Ekalak to the border that day but denied being involved with the murder mentioning that he had known him for two years since the time he was still in the navy.
CAPTIONS:
Former Marine Mr. Ekalak Paenoi suspected to have killed former Cambodian MP Lim Kimya and a pixelated image of wanted Cambodian suspect Mr. Rattanaraksmey Ly, inset. Top photo: PPTVHD36, Front Page photo: Naewna
Insert: Thai suspect, Mr. Chakit or “Chamnan,” who drove Mr. Ekalak Paenoi to the border being arrested. Photo: Naewna
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