Regional Army Chief Calls for New GT-200 Test

UPDATE : 18 February 2010 The Forth Army Region commander affirmed his support for the so-called GT 200 bomb detectors and called on the probe panel to conduct another test in the southern border region. Fourth Army Region Commander Lieutenant General Pichet Wisaichorn said although the GT-200 bomb scanners failed to prove its effectiveness by statistic test, his experience with the detectors showed that it was operational. Lieutenant General Pichet called on the probe panel to conduct another test somewhere in the three southern border provinces.
However, he admitted that the result has an effect on the feeling of security officials in the deep South and asked the government to quickly solve the problem. Commander of the joint civilian-police-army force for the southern border area, Lieutenant General Kasikorn Khirisri, said there has been no official order to halt the use of the GT-200 hand-held bomb scanners yet, but said that he has instructed units under his command to suspend using the devices. Lieutenant General Kasikorn said Alpha 6 scanners and sniffer dogs are now replacing the GT-200s as the main equipment used to detect areas suspected of having bombs or illegal items. The commander said Alpha 6 has higher-than-expected efficiency and more precise detection of specious objects, including narcotics, but conceded that the use of sniffer dogs in search operations may be in breach of the Muslim tradition so he has to create an understanding with religious leaders and communities in the region. The general revealed, however, that most of the Army officers still prefer to use GT-200 scanners as previous use of the controversial devices has led to several incidents of them finding bombs and they think that no device can be a substitute for them. Meanwhile, chairman of Yala's Peace Council, Nimu Magaje admired the prime minister for his decision to cease further procurements of the GT-200s and their use after the test result showed they did not work efficiently. However, he called on the government to urgently seek better scanners to replace them to restore confidence of local people and security officials. A latest survey showed that most officials in the deep South still use the GT-200s as they remain confident that they work well.

From: ThaiAsean News Network