Thai police have successfully extradited Ekalak Phanoi, also known as "Sergeant M," from Cambodia, just five days after the fatal shooting of former Cambodian Member of Parliament Lim Kimya in Bangkok’s historic district. The 41-year-old suspect has confessed to the crime, claiming he acted out of loyalty to a benefactor who had supported him financially.

Ekalak faces charges of premeditated murder, illegal possession of firearms in public, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. He admitted to receiving an initial payment of thirty thousand baht from a civilian benefactor to carry out the killing. The suspect revealed that he used the money to retrieve a pawned gun and was guided by the benefactor via the LINE messaging app on the victim’s movements and escape routes to Cambodia.

Thai authorities praised the swift extradition, made possible through close cooperation with Cambodian officials. Ekalak has requested special protection due to safety concerns and will face a detention hearing at the Criminal Court on January 13.

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