GT200 Bomb Detector Does Not Work: PM

[webfact]

UPDATE

INEFFECTIVE GT200

PM wants British maker to take responsibility

By The Nation

Army commander in South intends to continue using the bomb detectors

The government will investigate the procurement of GT200 "bomb detectors" and ask the British manufacturers to take responsibility for providing such false technology, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

"I will seek an explanation from the UK government as to why it has allowed the export of such ineffective devices," he told reporters. "Companies should not be allowed to misrepresent faulty products and export them."

Abhisit also urged agencies to stop using the device because it had been proven to be ineffective.

However, Fourth Army Region commander Lt Gen Pichet Pisaichorn, who oversees the restive South, said he would continue using the GT200 detectors even though scientific tests have proved them to be ineffective.

"I understand the test, but I'm confident in the device's efficiency," he said. "If anybody can find a better device, send it to me and I will use it.

"Armchair generals might suggest using sniffer dogs, but the local Muslim people dislike dogs. How can we use them?" he asked.

The Department of Special Investigation and the Office of the Auditor-General said they were ready to look into the procurement of the devices. They will also question the agents who sold the equipment to the security agencies, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said.

The Office of the Auditor-General is also questioning the transparency of the procurement of the devices and how the agencies had decided to buy an ineffective product, an official said.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also questioned why the device - sold under the same brand and type - varied so greatly in price. Different agencies paid between Bt400,000 and Bt1.2 million for each of the devices.

There are believed to be nearly 2,000 sets of the GT200 and similar devices being used by government agencies. The Army alone has some 800 sets of the GT200, while the Interior Ministry owns 542 Alpha 6 bomb detectors, which will also be put through scientific tests soon.

The GT200 device was introduced to the Thai armed forces in 2004, though they were only bought in 2007 when General Sonthi Boonyaratglin was Army chief. Under the current Army chief, General Anupong Paochinda, 222 GT200 devices were purchased last year.

Sonthi said he had authorised the purchase of just GT200 bomb detectors and insisted the procurement was legal.

A double-blind test conducted over the weekend showed that the UK-made GT200 devices could only detect explosive substances in four out of 20 instances. The performance was no better than throwing dice.

The manufacturer, Global Technical, said it was "surprised and disappointed by the reported outcome of tests carried out by the Thai government".

The company responded to e-mail questions from CNN by saying the results were "completely at odds with other tests carried out by independent bodies" and "the experience of a large number of users of this product all over the world".

The Thai distributor, Avia Satcom, was not available for comment. Reporters, camped outside the company in Don Mueang area, could get none of the staff to comment on the device yesterday.

The Alpha 6, produced by the UK's ComsTrac, is now widely used at the Interior Ministry and the Narcotic Suppression Bureau. Based on the same technology as the GT200, the manufacturer claims the Alpha 6 can detect both explosive substances and narcotics.

-- The Nation 2010-02-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Thai at Heart]

I think I know why she is defending this "thing"

Remember the case where PAD protesters supposedly died from the tear gas and not from bomb explosion?

"Our team has used a GT200 substance detector and found no substance used in making bombs. We've already checked the clash scenes and the bodies and clothing of the injured victims," she said Link

"2008 clashes between police and the Peoples Alliance for Democracy resulted in several serious injuries, but much confusion as to whether the injuries were caused by police tear gas grenades or improvised explosive devices carried by the protesters. Pornthip used a GT200 device to conclude that the protester injuries were not caused by IEDs and concluded that faulty tear gas grenades caused the injuries, leading to the removal from office of the national police chief" From wikipedia

Anyways she has gained her new name as "Porndrift" in Thai boards because she just keeps drifting in her statements lol

So this case has to be re-opened? What is PAD and Sondhi have got to say?

Oh dear oh dear. Some pretty important people had their careers ruined because of this case. Under laboratory conditions, I would expect a more rigorous test to be conducted than waving an unproven, untested FM aerial around the room to work out if explosives were present.

Is there no system for checking which types of tests for forensics are admissible in court?

Is that a Thai number plate in the slideshow?

http://www.e-k9.net/av_slides/php/gt200-case_event01.php

Edited February 18, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[webfact]

Narathiwat soldiers opt to use chopsticks instead of GT200 bomb detector

NARATHIWAT: -- (TNA) - Following the recent test results showing the poor accuracy of the controversial British-made GT200 bomb detectors, Thai security personnel stationed in Narathiwat's provincial seat on Wednesday began using chopsticks seeking for explosives possibly hidden in motorcycles.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva halted any future purchases of the GT200 bomb scanner after test results conducted by the Ministry of Science and Technology showed that out of 20 trials, the device worked effectively only four times--20 per cent of the time--in detecting C4 explosives hidden at random.

As security operations in the southern border provinces continue, the GT200 bomb detector was replaced by chopsticks as security personnel carried out their mission at Bang Nak market.

The officials dipped a chopstick into the motorcycle's petrol tank searching for explosives which might have been hidden inside.

Head of the army security unit at the market, Petty Officer 1st Class Chamlong Naranongwaeng conceded that the unconventional method is considered a serious risk, but security personnel have no choice but to try to carry out their duty.

Fourth Army Region Commander Lt-Gen Pichet Wisaijorn who oversees security in the southern border provinces asserted on Wednesday that the GT200 bomb scanner is still needed in the southern border provinces.

The commander said if the government wants the security officials to stop using the GT200 bomb detectors, there must provide a new device replacing them, such as the Fido explosives detector.

Meanwhile, the Working Group on Justice for Peace (WGJP) urged the government as well as security and justice agencies to immediately halt the use of GT200 and make efforts to acquire genuinely effective devices accepted and used at international level to replace it.

The group also asked the government and the army to provide compensation for innocent people who have previously been held in custody and arrested as a result of the use of the device.

The human rights non-governmental WGJP warned that security agencies claim that having the GT200 in use is better than having none will "eventually takes its toll on the lives of field officials and shall erode the confidence and trust local civilians have toward their attempts to address unrest in the South."

In response to the call, Prime Minister Abhisit said on Wednesday his government has clearly shown its responsibility by made the test result known to the public.

However, Mr Abhisit argued that the authorities have never relied on GT200 alone in taking legal action against any suspect, but it has been used as supplementary device in the authorities' operations.

"If anyone feels that he/she has been treated unfairly, they can lodge a complaint to a government committee in the insurgency-affected southern provinces, particularly on the abuse of power by state officials, the premier said.

Mr Abhisit added that he has instructed the army chief to come up with a new procurement plan to help facilitate local security personnel's field operations in light of GT200 inefficiency, but the new equipment must pass the test of the Ministry of Science and Technology before any purchase. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-02-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Donnyboy]

the chopsticks will probably have a better detection rate

lets see how they will inflate the prices of them

[DP25]

Seems to me she's basically saying "Yes I know it doesn't actually work. However, if people think it will work, those smuggling a bomb will get nervous and we'll be able to pick up on their unease while waving the device around in front of them."

This is very similar to how El Al operates. They stop and interview every person boarding the plane, they ask simple questions that are designed to generate an emotional response, and have trained their security people to recognize unusual responses.

At first I thought she was stupid/corrupt, but now I'm thinking she's just being coy and doesn't want to fully explain the psychological impact of the device on would be bombers, because it relies on the bombers believing the device actually works.

Yes, that definitely does work, and is the reason that the bomb 'detector' has been somewhat effective in the south locating bombs. The people trying to smuggle or hide bombs think that the detector works, and when it get nears them or points at them, begin to get nervous and act suspicious, clueing off the soldiers.

However there is no reason to actually pay lots of money for such a device, you could manufacture a fake bomb detector that relies on psychology for a few hundred baht. Anyway now that the truth is out that the detectors do not work, they are not going to have as much luck using them.

[chantorn]

Seems to me she's basically saying "Yes I know it doesn't actually work. However, if people think it will work, those smuggling a bomb will get nervous and we'll be able to pick up on their unease while waving the device around in front of them."

This is very similar to how El Al operates. They stop and interview every person boarding the plane, they ask simple questions that are designed to generate an emotional response, and have trained their security people to recognize unusual responses.

At first I thought she was stupid/corrupt, but now I'm thinking she's just being coy and doesn't want to fully explain the psychological impact of the device on would be bombers, because it relies on the bombers believing the device actually works.

Yes, that definitely does work, and is the reason that the bomb 'detector' has been somewhat effective in the south locating bombs. The people trying to smuggle or hide bombs think that the detector works, and when it get nears them or points at them, begin to get nervous and act suspicious, clueing off the soldiers.

However there is no reason to actually pay lots of money for such a device, you could manufacture a fake bomb detector that relies on psychology for a few hundred baht. Anyway now that the truth is out that the detectors do not work, they are not going to have as much luck using them.

Remind me of the cardboard policeman in my local supermarket.

[chantorn]

However, Fourth Army Region commander Lt Gen Pichet Pisaichorn, who oversees the restive South, said he would continue using the GT200 detectors even though scientific tests have proved them to be ineffective.

"I understand the test, but I'm confident in the device's efficiency," he said. "If anybody can find a better device, send it to me and I will use it.

I don't know if he is really STUPID, or pretend to be STUPID. Can we allowed such a STUPID Army Region commander Lt Gen to run the army?

[thaihome]

Why is that on this forum when the discussion is about the scams here in Thailand, such as the Grand Palace Gems, posters are extremely vocal in their condemnation of Thais perpetrators and the government that allows it to continue, but when it is the Thais that got scammed (along with numerous other countries) these same posters condemn the Thai victims with the same venom?

I think it is shameful the UK allowed this to continue for so many years and at such volume. You don’t suppose there were any backhanders to a few UK civil servants to look the other way do you?

Nah, only Thais do that.

TH

[Thai at Heart]

Why is that on this forum when the discussion is about the scams here in Thailand, such as the Grand Palace Gems, posters are extremely vocal in their condemnation of Thais perpetrators and the government that allows it to continue, but when it is the Thais that got scammed (along with numerous other countries) these same posters condemn the Thai victims with the same venom?

I think it is shameful the UK allowed this to continue for so many years and at such volume. You don’t suppose there were any backhanders to a few UK civil servants to look the other way do you?

Nah, only Thais do that.

TH

Caveat Emptor. Seems like they managed to fool and awful lot of people. I wouldn't get too worried about it, the people behind this scam will get rolled over in the UK.

Great blog, even has a couple of pictures of the Khunying.

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/

The questions have already been asked, and unlike Thailand, if some civil service people have been found to have taken a back hander, they will get hauled over the coals. It isn't the issue that bad things happen in the rest of the world too, it is that in Thailand, it continues at infinitum.

Arrest

In late December 2009, Avon and Somerset police stopped a shipment of ADE651s and on 5 January 2010 they arrested Jim McCormick, the boss of the company which makes the devices, on suspicion of fraud.

And you know what, in the UK, they can even force him to pay back for his fraud, unlike this part of the world. I wouldn't try to compare the level of corruption in Thailand to that of the UK, it's a big waterfall, and you ain't got the pressure.

[webfact]

UPDATE

GT200

The device works effectively : Army chief

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda on Thursday is defiant over using the ineffective GT200 bomb detector, saying his men on the ground confirmed the efficiencies of the device.

"I understand the scientific test results of the device. But what the army is trying to say is that when we use the device on the ground, it is very effective," he told a press conference.

This might be unable to be explained scientifically but I tell the truth.

Lining up in the same press conference were senior military officers including from explosive ordnance disposal units and procurement departments who expressed their view on the efficiency of the GT200 bomb detector.

The confirmation came on Thursday although the Science Ministry's testing panels concluded that the device did not work.

Citing that K9 dog squad is better than the device, Prime Minister Abhisit has instructed security agencies to stop buying the device and asked them to review the device operations.

"The scientific test proves it does not work. We have to believe the test which goes the same line with the result in foreign countries," he said.

The United Kingdom has banned the export of the device after BBC's investigative reports clearly showed that the GT200 cannot work.

-- The Nation 2010-02-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[chantorn]

UPDATE

GT200

The device works effectively : Army chief

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda on Thursday is defiant over using the ineffective GT200 bomb detector, saying his men on the ground confirmed the efficiencies of the device.

"I understand the scientific test results of the device. But what the army is trying to say is that when we use the device on the ground, it is very effective," he told a press conference.

This might be unable to be explained scientifically but I tell the truth.

Lining up in the same press conference were senior military officers including from explosive ordnance disposal units and procurement departments who expressed their view on the efficiency of the GT200 bomb detector.

The confirmation came on Thursday although the Science Ministry's testing panels concluded that the device did not work.

Citing that K9 dog squad is better than the device, Prime Minister Abhisit has instructed security agencies to stop buying the device and asked them to review the device operations.

"The scientific test proves it does not work. We have to believe the test which goes the same line with the result in foreign countries," he said.

The United Kingdom has banned the export of the device after BBC's investigative reports clearly showed that the GT200 cannot work.

-- The Nation 2010-02-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda is NOT STUPID. He has a big lot on order, I guess.

Mark is not a scientist, he just go with the flow, surf the foreign (UK) web too much instead of listening to his own army chief.

Even KhunYing PornTit said that GT200 works and went on to prove the PAD bomber innocent after the GT200 show no trace bomb (as claimed by the police).

[krading]

She found the body down the drain and has been cashing in on it ever since.

[Garry9999]

Divining rods, also called dowsing rods or L-Rods, are commonly used to find water and minerals. Around the garden divining rods are useful for finding underground pipes and utilities and around the home they are used for testing Feng Shui and locating misplaced items. Dowsing works by detecting naturally occurring energies that surround us and all things. Many tools are available for divining, but dowsing rods are a preferred tool because they are easy to learn and use.

[Garry9999]

Why is the Thai military so defensive over the controversial GT200 "dowsing rods"? This question was on many people's minds when they watched both foot soldiers and top brass declare on TV Thursday that these devices were working perfectly fine. The men in uniform went so far as to say 7,000 lives had been saved by these ridiculously expensive appliances in the violence-plagued deep South.

This show of solidarity becomes even more mind-boggling when one takes into account the fact that the British government has banned these devices - albeit only in terms of exports to Iraq and Afghanistan - and that a storm of criticism is exploding both here and abroad.

The defiance did not just mock the BBC's attempt to paint Thailand as a victim to the unscrupulous British manufacturer, but it also had significant ramifications on the country's chance to take legal action against the producer.

Basically, we can virtually kiss any compensation lawsuit goodbye. If I were the manufacturer, the first thing I would do is find a recording of the press conference and lock it up in the safest vault. In fact, I might even use this tape to sue the British government for defamation.

"The Thai military has said this device saved 7,000 lives, your honour. What stronger evidence do you need to prove that it works?" my lawyer would tell the court, and we would both end up grinning all the way to the bank.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...h-30122941.html

[thaihome]

Why is that on this forum when the discussion is about the scams here in Thailand, such as the Grand Palace Gems, posters are extremely vocal in their condemnation of Thais perpetrators and the government that allows it to continue, but when it is the Thais that got scammed (along with numerous other countries) these same posters condemn the Thai victims with the same venom?

I think it is shameful the UK allowed this to continue for so many years and at such volume. You don’t suppose there were any backhanders to a few UK civil servants to look the other way do you?

Nah, only Thais do that.

TH

Caveat Emptor. Seems like they managed to fool and awful lot of people. I wouldn't get too worried about it, the people behind this scam will get rolled over in the UK.

Great blog, even has a couple of pictures of the Khunying.

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/

The questions have already been asked, and unlike Thailand, if some civil service people have been found to have taken a back hander, they will get hauled over the coals. It isn't the issue that bad things happen in the rest of the world too, it is that in Thailand, it continues at infinitum.

Arrest

In late December 2009, Avon and Somerset police stopped a shipment of ADE651s and on 5 January 2010 they arrested Jim McCormick, the boss of the company which makes the devices, on suspicion of fraud.

And you know what, in the UK, they can even force him to pay back for his fraud, unlike this part of the world. I wouldn't try to compare the level of corruption in Thailand to that of the UK, it's a big waterfall, and you ain't got the pressure.

You, of course, have missed the point of my post and have actually just re-enforced it with your defense of the UK.

Yeah, they arrested the guy, after almost 5 years of this shit.

If indeed, Thai government officials (and apparently many others) were bribed to purchase these devices, then I would expect the UK to fully prosecute the UK Company and its officers as the UK is a signartory of both the UN and EU conventions on this. There are also specific UK laws against it. I have seen nothing about any investigation on this issue, only the “fraud” charges.

TH

[Thai at Heart]

Why is that on this forum when the discussion is about the scams here in Thailand, such as the Grand Palace Gems, posters are extremely vocal in their condemnation of Thais perpetrators and the government that allows it to continue, but when it is the Thais that got scammed (along with numerous other countries) these same posters condemn the Thai victims with the same venom?

I think it is shameful the UK allowed this to continue for so many years and at such volume. You don’t suppose there were any backhanders to a few UK civil servants to look the other way do you?

Nah, only Thais do that.

TH

Caveat Emptor. Seems like they managed to fool and awful lot of people. I wouldn't get too worried about it, the people behind this scam will get rolled over in the UK.

Great blog, even has a couple of pictures of the Khunying.

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/

The questions have already been asked, and unlike Thailand, if some civil service people have been found to have taken a back hander, they will get hauled over the coals. It isn't the issue that bad things happen in the rest of the world too, it is that in Thailand, it continues at infinitum.

Arrest

In late December 2009, Avon and Somerset police stopped a shipment of ADE651s and on 5 January 2010 they arrested Jim McCormick, the boss of the company which makes the devices, on suspicion of fraud.

And you know what, in the UK, they can even force him to pay back for his fraud, unlike this part of the world. I wouldn't try to compare the level of corruption in Thailand to that of the UK, it's a big waterfall, and you ain't got the pressure.

You, of course, have missed the point of my post and have actually just re-enforced it with your defense of the UK.

Yeah, they arrested the guy, after almost 5 years of this shit.

If indeed, Thai government officials (and apparently many others) were bribed to purchase these devices, then I would expect the UK to fully prosecute the UK Company and its officers as the UK is a signartory of both the UN and EU conventions on this. There are also specific UK laws against it. I have seen nothing about any investigation on this issue, only the “fraud” charges.

TH

If you take a look at the blog, astonishingly the thing has been around in various forms for 20 years, originally from the US. As I said, if any British civil servants were paid to look the other way, pretty sure they will get into trouble. There are images of Estonian police sweeping for visits of GW Bush, it being used in Mexico, and Iraq.

I liken this type of a fraud to the sex apparatus scam. You are so ashamed to have bought it, that you never ask for your money back. If no one complains to the UK government, why should they do anything? First complaints were end of last year apparently. The head of the Army and a "reknowned" forensic scientist in Thailand are SUPPORTING the thing. If Abhisit wants to sue the British company, I would put them on the stand in the UK straight away. Could you imagine the Thai government suing the company now, and Anupong acting for the defence???????

Now as to whether the people buying the products were bribed, I would love to see that can of worms opened worldwide, it would be very funny to watch. So amazing to watch the army squirming saying that they stand behind a product with 20% accuracy. Obviously they aren't the ones who have to go day by day and use the thing.

It is just so blatantly obvious that the device could never do what it says on the pack, and it could never command the price that it's intrinsic parts demand. However, one would imagine, that the company that produces these things has used agents world wide, so the focus for any dodgy business would probably be focussed on the agents in the various countries in which it is sold. I wouldn't doubt that there was a little (hundreds of millions of USD) globally used to grease palms, however, if agents did it, not too easy to pin that one on the manufacturer.

He discovered a perfect swindle, but has finally been caught, good.

There is a certain 'Dead Parrot" feeling to see the greater and better defending the use of the thing. One can only wonder why?

[slapout]

thaihome; doubt if you get a lot of agreement with your argument (which is a typical misdirection exercise) The facts speak for themselves when you review price paid, independent testing, bidding process, etc (based on info made available to the public, to date) It is interesting to note the indifference which is shown when money/product is received by Thailand citizens via bribes, illegal product distribution, fraud, etc by Thai authorities/people. There are still people in Thailand who are insisting the widgets satisfy the requirements for the purpose they have assigned to them. What I think is ironic is no public announcement of immediate ban/replacement of the device, but the possibility of recovering money for the purchase price via UK, has been. Doubt this will fly as which purchase price will you go after, there are probably a half dozen from manufacture to end user.

[linglop]

[slapout]

Your advertisement eliminates a large portion of potential market in the LOS. Offer a sole market franchise to the groups it detects and I reckon you have found a money maker.

[chantorn]

Why is the Thai military so defensive over the controversial GT200 "dowsing rods"? This question was on many people's minds when they watched both foot soldiers and top brass declare on TV Thursday that these devices were working perfectly fine. The men in uniform went so far as to say 7,000 lives had been saved by these ridiculously expensive appliances in the violence-plagued deep South.

This show of solidarity becomes even more mind-boggling when one takes into account the fact that the British government has banned these devices - albeit only in terms of exports to Iraq and Afghanistan - and that a storm of criticism is exploding both here and abroad.

The defiance did not just mock the BBC's attempt to paint Thailand as a victim to the unscrupulous British manufacturer, but it also had significant ramifications on the country's chance to take legal action against the producer.

Basically, we can virtually kiss any compensation lawsuit goodbye. If I were the manufacturer, the first thing I would do is find a recording of the press conference and lock it up in the safest vault. In fact, I might even use this tape to sue the British government for defamation.

"The Thai military has said this device saved 7,000 lives, your honour. What stronger evidence do you need to prove that it works?" my lawyer would tell the court, and we would both end up grinning all the way to the bank.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...h-30122941.html

I fully agree with you. If the client is fully satisfied, and the client claims that it save 7,000 lives, would your honour prefers those 7,000 lives dead?

I am sure the Thai Army (and their families to accompany for moral support) would not turn down a paid holiday to London to testify their claims.

[yesdavy]

GT200

Bomb detectors fail test

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Ahbisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that the controversial GT200 bomb detectors have been able to detect only four out of 20 explosives in scientific tests conducted by Science Ministry.

The result show that it would be therefore very risky to use the detectors.

"We won't buy any more GT200 bomb detectors as they do not work. It would be very risky to use them as, of the 20 tests conducted, results were achieved with only four, or just 25 per cent," the prime minister said.

The Science Ministry conducted the tests on the devices over the weekend.

The tests were undertaken at the Sirindhorn Science facility within the Thailand Science Park in Pathum Thani. Five rounds of tests were undertaken without problems before noon with another 20 rounds carried out by evening, as required by the testing committee. The test results for all 20 detectors have been stored in a deposit box for later analysis by the committee.

The prime objective of the test was to ascertain the device's efficacy with results reported to the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The GT200 devices tested were those used by police and military units in the South.

Earlier, senior military ordnance officers and bomb-disposal personnel briefed the Cabinet and insisted that the GT200 was "sufficiently efficient". They said it had detected explosives, weapons and narcotics in 173 out of 236 incidences.

"The success rate is higher than 80 per cent - beyond the minimum efficiency rate required," they said.

-- The Nation 2010-02-16

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Uh, wouldn't procurement policies require tests before handing over the money? Any way, tests are not needed. You just need Google. No first world countries are using this ATSC device because they laugh it off as a hoax.

Jim McCormick, 53, the managing director of ATSC which is based in a former dairy in Sparkford, Somerset, has been questioned by detectives from Avon and Somerset Police after a complaint that he misrepresented the devices.

Colin Port, the Somerset and Avon Police Chief Constable, personally ordered the investigation. A force spokesman said in a statement: “We are conducting a criminal investigation, and as part of that, a 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by misrepresentation. That man has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Dale Murray, head of the National Explosive Engineering Sciences Security Center at Sandia Labs, which does testing for the Department of Defense, said the center had “tested several devices in this category, and none have ever performed better than random chance.”

Last year, the James Randi Educational Foundation, an organization seeking to debunk claims of the paranormal, publicly offered ATSC $1 million if it could pass a scientific test proving that the device could detect explosives. Mr. Randi said no one from the company had taken up the offer.

[chantorn]

In this picture, does it look like an GT200 to you?

[Garry9999]

Majority feel GT200 should be shelved: poll

Fifty-two per cent of respondents polled nationwide believe the controversial GT200 bomb detector should be dumped, as its gross unreliability would put lives at risk.

Only 25 per cent think it should still be used after the military recently came out to insist that it is effective, while 22 per cent said they were unsure, according to the results released Saturday.

Suan Dusit Poll conducted the survey on 1,260 respondents from Wednesday to Friday.

The Nation

[webfact]

Public say no to GT200

BANGKOK: -- (NNT) – Most people reportedly oppose the use of the infamous bomb detector GT200, saying that they are confused over the test results, according to a Suan Dusit poll.

The survey, which sought people’s opinions about the controversial bomb detecting device, showed that 52% of the respondents think it should not be used anymore while 39% expressed doubts as to whether the device, mainly used in the southern border provinces, is effective.

Over 27% of the polled samples say they want to know the truth about GT200 and urged authorities to place first priority on the safety of people in the southernmost provinces. 25% thought that the device should still be used since army officers operating in the region confirmed that the bomb detectors can detect explosive materials.

The recent tests on GT200 by the Ministry of Science and Technology showed the device failed to detect bombs. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has ordered a halt to security units’ purchase of the British-made GT200 but the army has announced it will continue using the device.

-- NNT 2010-02-21

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[chantorn]

Thai made HY400. Produced a few years ago by a Thai maker (a few years back), and 100 units exported to Malaysia. The maker charge 1,000 Baht each.

From minute 6:00 onward.

Edited February 21, 2010 by chantorn

[thepodest]

Thai made HY400. Produced a few years ago by a Thai maker (a few years back), and 100 units exported to Malaysia. The maker charge 1,000 Baht each.

From minute 6:00 onward.

I think you misunderstood what the guy said. The maker was hired by a Malaysian man to make 100 of them. The Malaysian man provided the maker with all the materials and paid the maker only 1,000 Baht in total.

[webfact]

UPDATE

Public asked not to ban GT200 for now

BANGKOK: -- (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban calls on the society not to stop security officers from using GT200 bomb detectors in the violence-plagued South.

Mr Suthep said all sides should not pressure security officers who are using the detectors during their operations in the southern provinces, as there are no other devices that can replace the GT200 at the moment.

Regarding the recent bombing incident at Pattani's Khok Pho district on Monday, the deputy prime minister viewed that the incident and the GT200 device usage were not the same story. He also affirmed that the matter would not escalate the conflict between the government and the national armed forces.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva thus far has been urging all relevant sectors to stop purchasing and using the devices in operations after the scientific test result conducted by the Ministry of Science and Technology found them inefficient. However, after few days, Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda announced to continue using the devices and claimed that they were efficient.

Mr Suthep said there was no corruption found in the procurement of GT 200 bomb scanners found at present. Nevertheless, he said an investigative committee would be appointed once evidences were found.

-- NNT 2010-02-23

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[TAWP]

Don't tell them to stop using something that doesn't work...wait, what?

[chantorn]

UPDATE

Public asked not to ban GT200 for now

BANGKOK: -- (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban calls on the society not to stop security officers from using GT200 bomb detectors in the violence-plagued South.

Mr Suthep said all sides should not pressure security officers who are using the detectors during their operations in the southern provinces, as there are no other devices that can replace the GT200 at the moment.

Regarding the recent bombing incident at Pattani's Khok Pho district on Monday, the deputy prime minister viewed that the incident and the GT200 device usage were not the same story. He also affirmed that the matter would not escalate the conflict between the government and the national armed forces.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva thus far has been urging all relevant sectors to stop purchasing and using the devices in operations after the scientific test result conducted by the Ministry of Science and Technology found them inefficient. However, after few days, Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda announced to continue using the devices and claimed that they were efficient.

Mr Suthep said there was no corruption found in the procurement of GT 200 bomb scanners found at present. Nevertheless, he said an investigative committee would be appointed once evidences were found.

-- NNT 2010-02-23

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

This just show how STUPID thai politicians are.

[animatic]

UPDATE

Public asked not to ban GT200 for now

BANGKOK: -- (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban calls on the society not to stop security officers from using GT200 bomb detectors in the violence-plagued South.

Mr Suthep said all sides should not pressure security officers who are using the detectors during their operations in the southern provinces, as there are no other devices that can replace the GT200 at the moment.

Regarding the recent bombing incident at Pattani's Khok Pho district on Monday, the deputy prime minister viewed that the incident and the GT200 device usage were not the same story. He also affirmed that the matter would not escalate the conflict between the government and the national armed forces.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva thus far has been urging all relevant sectors to stop purchasing and using the devices in operations after the scientific test result conducted by the Ministry of Science and Technology found them inefficient. However, after few days, Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda announced to continue using the devices and claimed that they were efficient.

Mr Suthep said there was no corruption found in the procurement of GT 200 bomb scanners found at present. Nevertheless, he said an investigative committee would be appointed once evidences were found.

-- NNT 2010-02-23

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

This just show how STUPID thai politicians are.

Can't fault this logic...

Their only hope is that it calms some via the placebo effect... except the PEOPLE know it is snake oil.

Righty O, nothing can replace it, so replace it with nothing.. for the time being.

So, no corruption was found in procurement... ... ... so far... expletive deleted

Edited February 23, 2010 by animatic