BANGKOK, Thailand – Authorities in Cambodia arrested Mr. Ekalak Paenoi, also known as “Sergeant M,” a former naval officer accused of murdering Mr. Lim Kim Ya, a former opposition Member of Parliament in Cambodia. The murder occurred near a traffic island beside Wat Bowon Niwet in Bangkok during the evening of January 7. Sergeant M was apprehended in Battambang Province, Cambodia, near the border with Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand.
Reports indicate that Cambodian officials have not yet handed over Mr. Ekalak to Thai authorities, as they are pursuing charges against him for illegal entry into Cambodia.
Following the incident, the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division in Thailand, led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradej Thamsutee, dispatched a task force to track down the suspect. The pursuit extended to the Thai-Cambodian border near the Khao Din-Sam Phrao Run area, where the suspect narrowly escaped through a natural border crossing.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, coordinated with Cambodian police in Sam Phrao Run District, leading to further investigation. The suspect was found to have exchanged 4,000 baht at a border currency exchange shop before traveling deeper into Cambodia.
The task force, working with Cambodian authorities, followed the suspect to Prey Svay in Mong Russey District, Battambang Province. He was captured on January 8 at 4:30 PM while stopping for a meal.
The Cambodian police and Thai task force escorted the suspect to the Battambang Provincial Police Headquarters and later transferred him to the Phnom Penh Internal Security Command Center for further questioning. Thai authorities are now working on the extradition process to bring Sergeant M back to Thailand to face charges.
