Somchai probe unaffected by legal hitch

The bail granted to Somchai Jutikitdecha, 56, who is accused of being the man behind illegal casinos linked with a recent Covid-19 outbreak in the eastern provinces, will not affect their ongoing inquiry, police insisted yesterday.

A court brushed aside police objections and granted Mr Somchai, aka Longjoo Somchai, bail on Thursday night.

However, that would not affect the ongoing search for more evidence, said acting Rayong provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Mana Inphithak, a deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2.

Police asked the court for more time to interrogate Mr Somchai after arresting him earlier in the day and objected to his application for bail, citing the widespread publicity generated in the case and the complexities involved.

Mr Somchai denied causing the spread of Covid-19 at the casinos raided previously and insisted on testifying in…