BANGKOK, Jan 8 (TNA) – Thai police have issued an arrest warrant for a 41-year-old Thai man suspected of killing Lim Kimya, a former Cambodian opposition lawmaker, in central Bangkok on Tuesday.

The warrant names Ekkalak Paenoi as the suspect in the broad daylight shooting of the 74-year-old French-Cambodian citizen near a historic temple in Bangkok’s old quarter, said Police Colonel Sanong Saengmanee of Chanasongkram police station.

Lim, who was visiting Thailand as a tourist from Siem Reap with his French wife and a Cambodian relative, was gunned down at 5:45 PM in Phra Nakhon district. The assailant reportedly approached on a motorcycle before firing the fatal shots and fleeing the scene.

The victim was known for his role in scrutinizing the government of former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and was a prominent figure in Cambodian politics.

Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom has ordered an urgent manhunt for the suspect.

The suspect faces charges of premeditated murder and illegal possession and discharge of firearms in a public area. -819 (TNA)