Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Ratanakraksmey Ly, a 43-year-old frequent visitor to Cambodia, in connection with the murder of former Cambodian politician Lim Kimya in Bangkok last week.
Pol Maj Gen Atthaporn Wongsiripreeda, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, confirmed that Ly is believed to have orchestrated the murder. He is suspected of hiring a Thai gunman to kill Lim, 73, on January 7 in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. Ly is known by the alias “Somwang” in Pattaya, Thailand.
The gunman, former marine Ekkalak Pheanoi, was arrested and reportedly told police that he was hired by Ly due to a personal conflict between Ly and Lim. Pheanoi claimed he did not know the victim but was hired to carry out the shooting, for which he was promised 60,000 baht.
Ly arrived in Thailand on the evening of January 6 and stayed in the Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, before the murder took place on January 7. He left Thailand the following morning, and police have noted that Ly has made over 100 visits to Thailand in recent years.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities continue to track Ly’s whereabouts.
