Thai police issue arrest warrant for man suspected of gunning down Cambodian ex-lawmaker in Bangkok

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai police on Wednesday said an arrest warrant has been issued for a man suspected of gunning down a former opposition politician from Cambodia in a popular Bangkok tourist area.

Lim Kimya, an ex-lawmaker from the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, was shot dead near a temple close to Khaosan Road on Tuesday evening. He had reportedly just arrived at the scene with his wife by bus from Cambodia, said the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Siam Boonsom, chief of Bangkok police, told reporters on Wednesday the initial investigation led them to believe the gunman was hired to carry out the shooting and that Lim Kimya was possibly identified to the gunman by another person, whom police are also pursuing. Siam declined to provide further details, citing an ongoing investigation.

Thai media have reported the suspected shooter might be a former Thai marine. Siam declined to confirm this detail but said the suspect had a criminal record related to financial matters.

Security camera footage of the incident circulated in Thai media showed the suspected gunman arriving at the scene on a motorbike. Three gunshots were heard before the man walked away from the victim as he collapsed to the ground. The suspect, who did not cover his face, then rode away on the motorbike.

The Cambodia National Rescue Party said in a statement it was “deeply shocked and appalled by the brutal and inhumane assassination” and urged the Thai authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The party had been expected to present a strong challenge to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party of ex-Prime Minister Hun Sen in the 2018 general election. But as part of a sweeping crackdown on opposition before