ID :
106879
Tue, 02/16/2010 - 17:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/106879
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Thai PM halts future purchases of GT200 bomb detectors
BANGKOK, Feb 16 (TNA) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday halted all future purchases of GT200 bomb detectors after testing evidenced poor accuracy of the equipment.
The prime minister announced at a news conference on the recent test results on the GT200 bomb detectors by the Ministry of Science and Technology that tests were conducted 20 times and the device worked effectively four times to detect C4 explosives hidden randomly.
Mr Abhisit said he ordered a suspension of the device in field operations and told the ministry to explain to the agencies concerned.
The test results were reported to the Cabinet on Tuesday, Mr Abhisit said, adding that Army chief Gen. Anupong Paojinda, who also attended the meeting, has no objection to his decision.
The tests followed criticism by many parties who raised questions regarding the effectiveness of the bomb detection device after the British government banned exports of ADE651 bomb detectors to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The ADE651 detector is manufactured by the British-based company Global Technical, and is similar to the GT200 bomb detector, widely used in security operations in Thailand's southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in which insurgency-related incidents have left more than 4,000 persons deads since violence re-erupted 2004.
Thailand has 535 GT200 units, each costing at least 900,000 baht (US$27,000) and up to Bt1.2 million ($36,000), including 21 specialised monitoring chip cards.
Meanwhile, opposition Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the test results of the GT200 bomb detectors confirmed information from the opposition party and academics was correct.
He called for the prime minister to set up a committee to probe any possible irregularities involving the equipment purchases as several agencies bought them at much different prices.
Mr Prompong threatened to take legal action against the government and
concerned agencies for negligence of duty had they remained indifferent. (TNA)
The prime minister announced at a news conference on the recent test results on the GT200 bomb detectors by the Ministry of Science and Technology that tests were conducted 20 times and the device worked effectively four times to detect C4 explosives hidden randomly.
Mr Abhisit said he ordered a suspension of the device in field operations and told the ministry to explain to the agencies concerned.
The test results were reported to the Cabinet on Tuesday, Mr Abhisit said, adding that Army chief Gen. Anupong Paojinda, who also attended the meeting, has no objection to his decision.
The tests followed criticism by many parties who raised questions regarding the effectiveness of the bomb detection device after the British government banned exports of ADE651 bomb detectors to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The ADE651 detector is manufactured by the British-based company Global Technical, and is similar to the GT200 bomb detector, widely used in security operations in Thailand's southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in which insurgency-related incidents have left more than 4,000 persons deads since violence re-erupted 2004.
Thailand has 535 GT200 units, each costing at least 900,000 baht (US$27,000) and up to Bt1.2 million ($36,000), including 21 specialised monitoring chip cards.
Meanwhile, opposition Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the test results of the GT200 bomb detectors confirmed information from the opposition party and academics was correct.
He called for the prime minister to set up a committee to probe any possible irregularities involving the equipment purchases as several agencies bought them at much different prices.
Mr Prompong threatened to take legal action against the government and
concerned agencies for negligence of duty had they remained indifferent. (TNA)
