Thai Army interrupts Israeli demonstration of wiretapping devices to Special Branch Bureau

[webfact]

Army interrupts Israeli demonstration of wiretapping devices to Special Branch Bureau



BANGKOK: -- A group of soldiers today raided the meeting room of the Special Branch Bureau and detained nine Israeli technicians and staff while they were demonstrating electronic wire tapping devices to special branch police.

But after the interruption of the planned demonstration by soldiers from the Second Calvary Division of the First Army Region, Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang came out to defend the demonstration saying it was merely a misunderstanding caused by misinformation.

The commissioner said the Royal Thai Police and the Special Branch Bureau have been allocated budget from the government to procure wiretapping devices for use.

He said an Israeli supplier has approached the Royal Thai Police and scheduled today to demonstrate its devices.

However he said as the Army has learned of the Israeli approach, it then asked the firm to explain whether these electronic devices have been granted import permission legitimately or not.

He said the soldiers then invited the Israeli technicians and staff to their office for clarification and to display import documents.

He said the Israeli firm has insisted all its devices have been imported for demonstration legally.

Pol Gen Somyot said an Army colonel had phoned him saying he suspected some devices might be illegally smuggled into the country and sought his permission to interrupt the demonstration.

The commissioner recalled he immediately rang the First Army Region commander and the commander of the Second Calvary Division and also explained to the Israeli technicians of the Army’s request and the firm agreed to cooperate.

Pol Gen Somyot added it happened because of misunderstanding and he would ask the firm to return again for demonstration.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-interrupts-israeli-demonstration-of-wiretapping-devices-to-special-branch-bureau


-- Thai PBS 2015-05-08

[Always18]

The comedy continues...............

[NongKhaiKid]

Now, now children play nicely.

[JXXXL]

"display import documents" i.e., notes for the appropriate army officer(s)

[JOC]

They are smart the Israelis !! Tipped of the army about the demonstration for the arch enemy, the RTP.

Of course the army, with their mega budget, is a more interesting customer.

Meanwhile on Planet Earth..................................

[Snig27]

Is Crunchy The Clown now running the army? I guess the right army "wheels" have not been oiled.

[clockman]

But we have not been payed! Pigs and troughs.

[NeverSure]

Is this all about import regulations for demos? ASEAN here we come, LOL.

[mca]

Whenever I read these type of stories the Benny Hill theme runs through my mind...

[T_Dog]

Nice to see the high level of cooperation between the police and the army.

[Fat Haggis]

Paranoid much?

[grantbkk]

It may have to do with making sure everyone gets what they deserve at each step of the process.

Anywhere else this would be a <deleted> story of the year. This is just Friday in Thailand.

[candide]

Maybe they have a "preferred supplier" who wants to get rid of a new competitor.....

[eddie61]

someone didn't get their share of the cut.

[webfact]

Thai Soldiers Detain Israeli Businessmen 'Out of Misunderstanding'
By Khaosod English


Junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha speaking to reporters on 8 May 2015.

BANGKOK – Thai soldiers mistakenly arrested nine businessmen from an Israeli technology firm while they were meeting with police yesterday, junta officials say.

The nine men, who were demonstrating surveillance equipment to police officers at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, were taken by soldiers to the 2nd Cavalry Division base, where they were questioned and then released without charges, junta spokesperson Col. Winthai Suwaree told reporters today.

Col. Winthai said police were informed beforehand of the arrest, but several officers at the Special Branch Police told Khaosod they were taken by complete surprise when at least 10 armed soldiers arrived on three military vehicles and took the nine men without police’s permission.

The soldiers reportedly informed police they were acting under Order 3/2558, an order issued by the junta chairman that allows soldiers to detain individuals without charges.

According to the officers, the businessmen were demonstrating a device that would improve Thai police’s ability to intercept phone calls, track the location of phone users, and analyze calling data.

Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters today that the arrests were caused by a misunderstanding.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1431070679


-- Khaosod English 2015-05-08

[diehard60]

well we know now who is running the police. And it aint a cop.

[Gsxrnz]

I believe this is a picture of the technology the RTP are considering buying at only 5m Baht per unit.

[jaidam]

More golf-ball finders on the way.

[AlQaholic]

would be interesting to hear the real story behind the scenes....

I have obtained an exclusive sample of the devices in question, they cost a little more than 1M Baht each.....

Edited May 8, 2015 by AlQaholic

[X pat]

​This is to funny not to be real. Let us know see if they try and save face or admit they screwed up.

[8OA8]

No Import documentation for the goods brought in via a diplomatic pouch.

How about the WP/Visa status of those carrying out the demonstration

[klauskunkel]

It is quite amazing how much egg can be put on Thailand's face by their own officials...

[kannot]

"The soldiers reportedly informed police they were acting under Order 3/2558, an order issued by the junta chairman that allows soldiers to detain individuals without charges."

So reassuring Herr Fuhrer!!

Thailand land of the free eh?

Edited May 8, 2015 by kannot

[wirat69]

Sorry, all the listening devices had Demo Visas.... but, Sir, you did not declare and register your Google Watch and iPhone when you entered the Kingdom.....

[plachon]

It would be interesting to know if the RTA learned about the Israeli demonstration at the SBB, via wiretapping, or more conventional forms of sleuthing on their secret squirrel factional competitors? If it was phone tapping, whose country's technology are the RTA using.....Israeli, US, European?......or rather more likely, given recent events, Russian or Chinese? It seems new levels of mistrust and paranoia are rising amongst the rival elites.....all explained away to the public as a simple "misunderstanding".

[Balance]

Is this all about import regulations for demos? ASEAN here we come, LOL.

No, it is about who will control the importing and distribution of the toys. Member the microphones in one of the government meeting halls? Same Same.

[phoenixdoglover]

"The soldiers reportedly informed police they were acting under Order 3/2558, an order issued by the junta chairman that allows soldiers to detain individuals without charges."

Above the law since 1932.

[JOC]

Let's reflect for a second...................

Businessmen are visiting special branch within the police to promote electronic gear, at Police HQ they are arrested by the army and "invited" to a visit at the nearby camp.

Seriously, you couldn't make this stuff up.................

[NoBrainer]

Maybe they just don't like Israeli's for one reason or another.

[Equalizer]

BOOOM, WHIZZZZZ BASH. ZABOOOM POW. BASH. Dont you just Love Thai TV.