BANGKOK — A Cambodian-French political activist was fatally shot in Bangkok’s historic city area on Tuesday evening, marking a shocking incident of violence in the Thai capital.
Lim Kimya, 74, was gunned down around 5:45 p.m. on January 7 near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara temple in the Phra Nakhon district. The victim, wearing a black polo shirt and cream shorts, sustained two gunshot wounds – one to his right ribcage and another to his right shoulder. Despite immediate medical attention from emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene near the Thirteen Corners roundabout.
According to police reports, the suspect, described as a male riding a red Honda Wave 100 motorcycle with license plate number 845 and wearing a helmet, allegedly concealed the weapon in a bag. The assailant fled the scene via Phra Sumen Road past Wat Bowonniwet.
Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, the Metropolitan Police Chief, has ordered an immediate investigation into the shooting. Initial investigations reveal that the victim, a political activist, had traveled from Siem Reap, Cambodia, by bus with his French wife and a Cambodian relative before the incident occurred.
The victim’s wife is currently assisting police with their inquiries at Chana Songkhram Police Station as investigators work to establish the motive behind the assassination.
The incident comes at a time when Thai police had just successfully rescued a Chinese actor who had been lured to Myanmar, highlighting the contrasting security situations in the capital.
Police Colonel Sonong and Police Lieutenant Colonel Patcharapon Sukpradit of Chana Songkhram Police Station are leading the investigation, with forensic teams examining the crime scene for additional evidence.
Lim Kimya was a dedicated member of Cambodia’s opposition party CNRP who demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of political persecution. While dozens of his fellow opposition MPs sought exile abroad in 2017, he chose to continue his parliamentary duties, particularly focusing on budget debates despite the increasingly hostile political environment.
His commitment was especially notable given that he held French citizenship, which could have provided him an easy escape route from the political pressure in Cambodia.
As one of only twenty MPs who remained at the CNRP headquarters in Phnom Penh, he maintained his political activities even as others retreated from public life to avoid arrest. He actively participated in protests, including demonstrations outside the prison where CNRP leader Kem Sokha was detained on treason charges.
Despite facing direct threats and intimidation, he famously declared “I will never give up politics,” reflecting his unwavering commitment to democratic opposition in Cambodia.
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