A Thai court has handed down a life sentence to Ekkalak Paenoi, a Thai national, for the assassination of Lim Kimya, a prominent Cambodian opposition politician, in Bangkok earlier this year. The killing, which occurred in January shortly after Lim’s arrival in the Thai capital with his wife, has sparked widespread speculation of political motives. Ekkalak, who fled to Cambodia post-assassination, was arrested and extradited back to Thailand. Initially facing the death penalty, his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment following his confession, as announced by the court on Friday. Lim Kimya, a former parliamentarian with dual Cambodian and French nationality, was a member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was banned in 2017 after being accused of treason by former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The CNRP had nearly defeated Hun Sen’s long-ruling party in the 2013 elections. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father in 2023, has denied any government involvement in Lim’s killing. Security footage from the incident shows Ekkalak calmly parking his motorbike, removing his helmet, and crossing the road before the fatal shots were fired. In addition to the life sentence, Ekkalak was ordered to pay approximately $55,000 in compensation to Lim’s family. The court acquitted another Thai national accused of aiding Ekkalak’s escape, ruling that he was merely a driver unaware of the crime. Lim’s widow, while reportedly satisfied with the verdict, continues to seek answers about who orchestrated the assassination, urging authorities to uncover the truth. This case highlights the ongoing repression faced by opposition figures in Cambodia and neighboring countries, with human rights groups alleging a tacit agreement among regional governments to suppress dissent.