GT200: The dud bomb detector that cost Thailand 1 billion baht – and more

[webfact]

 

By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk

 

Although now synonymous with hoax, fraud and corruption, the GT200 was once considered a vital tool in the armory of security forces in many countries across the globe.

 

Those false hopes, triggered by claims of the GT200’s manufacturer, UK-based Global Technical Ltd, lured Thai authorities to spend more than 1.13 billion baht on purchasing 1,354 GT200 devices between 2005 and 2010.

 

Even Thailand’s most prominent forensic expert, Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, now a senator, supported GT200 procurement – a decision that has now returned to haunt her.

 

What is the GT200 exactly?

 

Launched in 2001, the GT200 was touted as a detector of explosives, narcotics and other illicit substances. Its manufacturer attracted buyers from Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico and elsewhere with false claims. The device was similar in construction to two other fake detectors, the ADE-651 and the Alpha 6.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/gt200-the-dud-bomb-detector-that-cost-thailand-1-billion-baht-and-more/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-03-17

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[sammieuk1]

Jim 1 Thailand 0 greed 1 billion ????

 

greed

[Thailand]

Used now for weather prediction in BMW's but apparently does not work for that either

[nigelforbes]

It works perfectly well, TAT bought dozens of them for predicting tourist arrivals numbers.

[khunPer]

Originally a lost golf ball detector; which worked as perfectly well as when similar devises – like a cut pair of metal hangers for clothes used for rhabdomancy – are used for detecting Hartmann grids and the like earth radiation, as well as underground water sources...

 

[stoner]

how long are we going to do this little buddy ? you will grow tired long before i do. 

[khunjeff]

"The Army also spent 7.5 million baht last year for tests on 757 of its GT200 devices, which were reportedly conducted to support its lawsuit against the supplier."

 

Wow, still sending good money after bad.

 

It's been acknowledged that the devices are completely fraudulent, and all you have to do is open each one to see that they are hollow plastic boxes containing no electronics or machinery of any kind, and yet they somehow managed to spend 10k baht per device to "test" them ????

[nycjoe]

and the hits keep coming!!! When they have the eulogy for the human race it will be killed by greed.

 

[JimmyJ]

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

Originally a lost golf ball detector; which worked as perfectly well as when similar devises – like a cut pair of metal hangers for clothes used for rhabdomancy – are used for detecting Hartmann grids and the like earth radiation, as well as underground water sources...

 

Used now for dowsing sticks.

[hotchilli]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Even Thailand’s most prominent forensic expert, Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, now a senator, supported GT200 procurement – a decision that has now returned to haunt her.

Just goes to show the talent at the top in Thailand... and now she's a senator?

 

[nigelforbes]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Just goes to show the talent at the top in Thailand... and now she's a senator?

 

Unduly and unnecessarily harsh. First and foremost Pornthip is a highly regarded forensics expert, any skills she may or may not have in the assessment of technology are almost certainly anecdotal! Secondly, per the article quoted in the OP which you clearly didn't read:

 

"Porntip, who formerly headed the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS), said her role was limited to defending CIFS officials who used the GT200.

“I didn’t say that the device was good,” she said. “But I understand that officials got peace of mind when they received a device that was used as a bomb detector overseas.”

 

 

[2baht]

3 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

“But I understand that officials got peace of mind when they received a device that was used as a bomb detector overseas.”

Damn foreigners! Though the commissions were nice! 

[nigelforbes]

1 minute ago, 2baht said:

Damn foreigners! Though the commissions were nice! 

Did Pornthip receive commissions?

[2baht]

3 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

Did Pornthip receive commissions?

Were names mentioned in my post?

[nigelforbes]

1 minute ago, 2baht said:

Were names mentioned in my post?

Do you always answer a question with a question?

[scottiejohn]

34 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

Do you always answer a question with a question?

You just have! ????

[nigelforbes]

11 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

You just have! ????

Why is that important?

[Artisi]

54 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

Did Pornthip receive commissions?

Doubt that, to the point of saying - No. 

[nigelforbes]

I rest my case m'lud.

[liddelljohn]

Porntip is one of the decent educated thais who actually wants to do good for the country  , and dont forget the GT 200 was sold to many Law enforcement and military units all over the world

[redwood1]

I would love to see the paper trail on where the GT 200 money went......O-Boy it would be very interesting indeed.....

 

Remember the buying went on for a very long time....Like 10 years......So both the buyer and seller were very pleased with the outcome of these transactions.....Laughing all the way to the bank....