Science Minister Kalaya Sophonpanich has set a 14-day time frame for a panel of experts to conduct tests on the effectiveness of the GT200 bomb detectors.
Kalaya said the Science Ministry would hold an official meeting on the testing for the first time today. The testing panel will consist of experts from various fields, including academics.
Recently, a university lecturer publicly questioned the effectiveness of the so-called GT200 bomb detectors, and the government decided to launch an official test to dispel public doubt.
Pansak Siriruchatapong, head of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre, said the GT200 bomb detectors would be tested both inside laboratories and in the field.
"The media can observe our field tests," he said.
Colonel Banphot Poonpian, spokesman for the 4th Division of the Internal Security Operations Command, said security officials were ready to cooperate with the Science Ministry's panel.
He also urged all parties to prepare related information on the device for the panel's consideration.
"It is better than joking about the bomb detectors," he said.
Banphot said the confusion over the GT200's effectiveness was affecting the morale of security officials in the deep South, who were still using these devices in their mission.
He also expressed hope that the tests would dispel doubts.
"The tests should be fair and transparent," Banphot said.
