POLICE say they are forging ahead with investigations into the the killing of an Australian man in Sihanoukville’s No 3 commune early on Monday.

John Edward Thompson was ambushed around 1am by a group of men who beat him with acacia branches and left him for dead.

“We are paying very careful attention and have already created a committee to investigate the murder case thoroughly to find those responsible for the murder,” provincial police Chief Tak Vantha said.

Man Sour, Sihanoukville city’s police chief, said Wednesday that police are working on the case by tracking well-known suspects in the province.

“We cannot say whether we will arrest any suspects soon, as it is a felony crime that requires a long investigation,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Australian embassy was unable to comment on the ongoing investigation. “We are liaising with the police, but we are unable to divulge any information at this time,” she said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CAMERON WELLS