DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION DSI to file case over useless bomb detectors THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation will seek legal redress against those responsible for the procurement of imported bomb detectors proven to be useless.
However, Thai security authorities still endorsed the field equipment as "life-saving" devices.
Tarit Pengdith, director general of the DSI, said yesterday that the DSI would initiate legal action although none of the 13 state agencies that bought the GT200 and Alfa 6 bomb detectors have filed any complaints against the manufacturers or distributors of the devices.
The DSI would give the agencies a little more time before it would submit the report on its probe to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Those agencies have told the DSI that their internal investigations had found no irregularities or fraud involving the purchase of the devices.
The 13 agencies include the Narcotics Control Board, Central Institute of Forensic Science, Customs Department, Armed Forces Security Centre and certain provincial organisations, said Lt-Colonel Pong-in Intarakhao, head of the DSI's security division.
Tests by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre and British authorities found that the devices did not work as claimed by the producers, he said.
The GT200 is touted by its UK-based manufacturer Global Technical as able to detect from a distance various substances, including explosives and drugs.
The device came under scrutiny after the virtually identical ADE 651 "substance detector" became the centre of a fraud investigation in the United Kingdom. The UK government banned the export of such devices to Iraq and Afghanistan and warned foreign governments that the GT200 and ADE 651 were "wholly ineffective" at identifying bombs and explosives.
British businessman Jim McCormick was recently charged with fraud by police in the UK for producing and supplying ADE 651 devices although he was aware they were ineffectively designed or adapted to detect bombs. The ADE 651 is virtually identical to the GT200.
Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat vouched for the GT200, saying he was convinced the instrument could sense explosives.
"Don't say that it doesn't work. It actually works. It could be used to find bombs many times. Just one success in detecting bombs and it's worth the price. I can confirm that the GT200 is effective," he said.
"Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat vouched for the GT200, saying he was convinced the instrument could sense explosives.
"Don't say that it doesn't work. It actually works. It could be used to find bombs many times. Just one success in detecting bombs and it's worth the price. I can confirm that the GT200 is effective," he said."
So :
If you take me to, say, Yala and I point my finger at innumerable objects and one is found to be a bomb that makes me and my finger an effective Bomb Detection device?
Look up the Laws of Probability Mr. "Defence Minister" and then throw these useless, dangerous pieces of junk away - then prosecute those involved in their procurement ...... not only for corruption but causing death and destruction through their veniality.
The bomb detectors work, in that they have helped to line the pockets of certain influential people. That is what they were intended to do. I really can't see the problem.
Incidentally, those nice people on the MRT who wave a torch in the vague direction of your rucksack if the scanner beeps - has anybody ever asked what exactly they're looking for? And what they'd do if they found it?
I saw a BBC news report the other night where the credit card size cards they plug into the device to detect different types of explosives proved to have no programming of any kind on the cards...the cards were just circuit outlines/wiring with no embedded programming.
Me thinks the maker of this device has scammed the world and it's so embarrassing to those organizations/people around the world who bought them that many of those organizations/people may fall on their swords in trying to say the device really does work, especially if there was also corruption/kickbacks involved in the procurements.
Well I give credit to Abhisit for trying to stop the purchase of more "bomb scanners" after tests but he was soon overidden by his military masters and just about everybody else it seems - too much "face" to lose but more likely huge amounts of kickbacks lurking around that were best left undisturbed, the joys of being, or connected to the ammart.
As the expensive GT200 device was found to be inferior at sniffing out bombs than the K9 squad, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday instructed security agencies to review the use of the imported detectors and stop buying more...........
............Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said unless units on the ground could find a substitute, they had the authority to decide whether to continue using the GT200.............
............Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, said she would continue using the gadget despite its poor performance.
"I know it's not scientific equipment, but forensic scientists can use it effectively," she said. "We won't buy more, but we won't stop using them either."
Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said he would not allow any agencies under the ministry to purchase more detectors and would send the Alpha 6 detectors widely used by the Narcotics Control Board for testing.
Abhisit said the Interior Ministry, which also owned some Alpha 6 bomb detectors, would send the equipment to see if it could pass scientific testing.
and nothing more was done until now when the Defence Minister, Sukumpol Suwanatat, said that despite everything said about them, they worked. That might have something to do with the fact that the first ones bought were bought by the RTAF when he was the Air Force COS. No wonder he is Defence Minister - bet he knows where a few skeletons are buried (there's always a reason why these guys are in the positions they are)
The same bogus bomb scaneer from which both the general who calls himself Minister of defense and Prayuth say they work and the same bomb scanners approved by the Abhisit government.
It is typical for the establishment: The sellers are safely locked up in a English prison (although the English had no trouble endangering the lives of people from Pakistan to Thailand when they made money) but the 13 departments and all hot shots claim it works. Even a child of 4 would ask why the cards have no sockets they would qualify it even unsuitable as a toy.
The same bogus bomb scaneer from which both the general who calls himself Minister of defense and Prayuth say they work and the same bomb scanners approved by the Abhisit government.
The first purchases of the GT200 detector occurred in 2004, when Thaksin Shinawatra was PM.
Maybe DSI should start their investigation by questioning the defence minister first....he openly said the air force was the first to purchase the junk when he was COS there.
It's good to hear that DSI is taking action, even thought some faces will be lost during the process.
I wonder how much the industry pays these days for a statement like his
Just two questions:
would anyone bet 10 baht that there is no corruption involved whenever the gov. buys any single item worth more than 1.000 baht?
Would the guy go for the ultimate test? Take three cars, two packed with explosives that would blow off after ignition. Give him his toy and let him make a choice for his ride home...
Well I give credit to Abhisit for trying to stop the purchase of more "bomb scanners" after tests but he was soon overidden by his military masters and just about everybody else it seems - too much "face" to lose but more likely huge amounts of kickbacks lurking around that were best left undisturbed, the joys of being, or connected to the ammart.
As the expensive GT200 device was found to be inferior at sniffing out bombs than the K9 squad, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday instructed security agencies to review the use of the imported detectors and stop buying more...........
............Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said unless units on the ground could find a substitute, they had the authority to decide whether to continue using the GT200.............
............Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, said she would continue using the gadget despite its poor performance.
"I know it's not scientific equipment, but forensic scientists can use it effectively," she said. "We won't buy more, but we won't stop using them either."
Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said he would not allow any agencies under the ministry to purchase more detectors and would send the Alpha 6 detectors widely used by the Narcotics Control Board for testing.
Abhisit said the Interior Ministry, which also owned some Alpha 6 bomb detectors, would send the equipment to see if it could pass scientific testing.
and nothing more was done until now when the Defence Minister, Sukumpol Suwanatat, said that despite everything said about them, they worked. That might have something to do with the fact that the first ones bought were bought by the RTAF when he was the Air Force COS. No wonder he is Defence Minister - bet he knows where a few skeletons are buried (there's always a reason why these guys are in the positions they are)
Dear 'honest John' phiphidon, the 2010-02-17 article says that then PM Abhisit ordered further purchases to be stopped and everyone using the devices bought already, would do so at own risk.
No mention there that more of those devices have been ordered since. Maybe you have another pointer with that info
BTW when the first devices were ordered, allegedly in 2004 under then PM Thaksin, was it already known that these devices were somewhat less than usefull?
The same bogus bomb scaneer from which both the general who calls himself Minister of defense and Prayuth say they work and the same bomb scanners approved by the Abhisit government.
It is typical for the establishment: The sellers are safely locked up in a English prison (although the English had no trouble endangering the lives of people from Pakistan to Thailand when they made money) but the 13 departments and all hot shots claim it works. Even a child of 4 would ask why the cards have no sockets they would qualify it even unsuitable as a toy.
You would need your Kangaroo Court to find Abhisit guilty on this one. Keep the laughs coming!
I suspect that the person who cleared these devices as being a 'Good Buy' was promoted, a short time later, to be in-charge of quality-control on runways/taxiways/parking-aprons at Swampy.
The same bogus bomb scaneer from which both the general who calls himself Minister of defense and Prayuth say they work and the same bomb scanners approved by the Abhisit government.
It is typical for the establishment: The sellers are safely locked up in a English prison (although the English had no trouble endangering the lives of people from Pakistan to Thailand when they made money) but the 13 departments and all hot shots claim it works. Even a child of 4 would ask why the cards have no sockets they would qualify it even unsuitable as a toy.
You would need your Kangaroo Court to find Abhisit guilty on this one. Keep the laughs coming!
Don't have to look too far for those who pocketed all the cash after receiving the money for decent kit and instead buying empty plastic boxes with old pieces of toasters and mobile phones gaffer taped together when you read......
"However, Thai security authorities still endorsed the field equipment as "life-saving" devices."
LOL. Hope that when the next bombs go off here it is one of them that get the dreaded deaded. Unfortunately this Karma business never seems to work that well.
So what's going to happen to the people that were convicted/interrogated based on the readings from the empty plastic boxes with 10 baht radio ariels attached to them?
Well I give credit to Abhisit for trying to stop the purchase of more "bomb scanners" after tests but he was soon overidden by his military masters and just about everybody else it seems - too much "face" to lose but more likely huge amounts of kickbacks lurking around that were best left undisturbed, the joys of being, or connected to the ammart.
As the expensive GT200 device was found to be inferior at sniffing out bombs than the K9 squad, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday instructed security agencies to review the use of the imported detectors and stop buying more...........
............Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said unless units on the ground could find a substitute, they had the authority to decide whether to continue using the GT200.............
............Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, said she would continue using the gadget despite its poor performance.
"I know it's not scientific equipment, but forensic scientists can use it effectively," she said. "We won't buy more, but we won't stop using them either."
Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said he would not allow any agencies under the ministry to purchase more detectors and would send the Alpha 6 detectors widely used by the Narcotics Control Board for testing.
Abhisit said the Interior Ministry, which also owned some Alpha 6 bomb detectors, would send the equipment to see if it could pass scientific testing.
and nothing more was done until now when the Defence Minister, Sukumpol Suwanatat, said that despite everything said about them, they worked. That might have something to do with the fact that the first ones bought were bought by the RTAF when he was the Air Force COS. No wonder he is Defence Minister - bet he knows where a few skeletons are buried (there's always a reason why these guys are in the positions they are)
Dear 'honest John' phiphidon, the 2010-02-17 article says that then PM Abhisit ordered further purchases to be stopped and everyone using the devices bought already, would do so at own risk.
No mention there that more of those devices have been ordered since. Maybe you have another pointer with that info
BTW when the first devices were ordered, allegedly in 2004 under then PM Thaksin, was it already known that these devices were somewhat less than usefull?
Christ on a bike how much further do I need to bend over for you. I'd already praised abhisit for what he tried to do and pointed out the present defence minister was the RTAF CoS when the RTAF were the first to buy the crappy things. What more do you want me to do , join the PAD?
Well I give credit to Abhisit for trying to stop the purchase of more "bomb scanners" after tests but he was soon overidden by his military masters and just about everybody else it seems - too much "face" to lose but more likely huge amounts of kickbacks lurking around that were best left undisturbed, the joys of being, or connected to the ammart.
As the expensive GT200 device was found to be inferior at sniffing out bombs than the K9 squad, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday instructed security agencies to review the use of the imported detectors and stop buying more...........
............Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said unless units on the ground could find a substitute, they had the authority to decide whether to continue using the GT200.............
............Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, said she would continue using the gadget despite its poor performance.
"I know it's not scientific equipment, but forensic scientists can use it effectively," she said. "We won't buy more, but we won't stop using them either."
Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said he would not allow any agencies under the ministry to purchase more detectors and would send the Alpha 6 detectors widely used by the Narcotics Control Board for testing.
Abhisit said the Interior Ministry, which also owned some Alpha 6 bomb detectors, would send the equipment to see if it could pass scientific testing.
and nothing more was done until now when the Defence Minister, Sukumpol Suwanatat, said that despite everything said about them, they worked. That might have something to do with the fact that the first ones bought were bought by the RTAF when he was the Air Force COS. No wonder he is Defence Minister - bet he knows where a few skeletons are buried (there's always a reason why these guys are in the positions they are)
Dear 'honest John' phiphidon, the 2010-02-17 article says that then PM Abhisit ordered further purchases to be stopped and everyone using the devices bought already, would do so at own risk.
No mention there that more of those devices have been ordered since. Maybe you have another pointer with that info
BTW when the first devices were ordered, allegedly in 2004 under then PM Thaksin, was it already known that these devices were somewhat less than usefull?
Christ on a bike how much further do I need to bend over for you. I'd already praised abhisit for what he tried to do and pointed out the present defence minister was the RTAF CoS when the RTAF were the first to buy the crappy things. What more do you want me to do , join the PAD?
Sigh, deep sigh. It must be a language problem I think. Luckily I just started watching the six-part documentary "The Adventure of English" on how the English language evolved. May be that will help me. Interestingly the series started in Frisia, the North of the Netherlands
Let me tell you clearly: no, you do not need to bend over, not even backwards. I'm even somewhat annoyed you (dare to) suggest this. What is needed is fairness, consistency and truthfullness.
You wrote "Well I give credit to Abhisit for trying to stop the purchase of more "bomb scanners" after tests but he was soon overidden by his military masters". That suggests k. Abhisit tried, but did not succeed in stopping further purchases of the faulty equipment. Therefor my question if any more devices had been ordered after k. Abhisit 'tried to stop it' ?
With these language problems I can only lament that William of Orange exported the Financial Market to England, but not the Dutch language. What was he thinking in 1688
EDIT: ADD: minor correction, sorry still busy downloading. The series "The Adventure of English" is an eight part series, not six
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