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.
"Scientifically speaking, dogs have already been proved to be more efficient than the bomb detectors," he said.
The double-blind testing done over the weekend showed the GT200 succeeded in detecting explosives in only four out of 20 tries, he said.
"The result has no statistical significance. The performance is equivalent to random chance," he told reporters.
The British-made GT200 bomb detectors were introduced to the Thai armed forces in 2004 when the Air Force used them to search for explosive substances. The Army began buying them when General Sonthi Boonyaratglin was its chief. A big lot was ordered last year.
MANY AGENCIES USE DEVICE
Many agencies, including the National Police, Interior Ministry and Narcotics Control Board, use a similar model but a different brand, such as the Alpha 6.
Thailand has spent between Bt700 million and Bt800 million to acquire some 1,000 dowsing devices in recent years, Abhisit said.
All agencies using such gear must report to him how many they have, how they use them and how much they spent for such false technology, he said.
The Science Ministry, which conducted the scientific test, would explain to the agencies the results on its effectiveness.
PREMIER'S WARNING
Any agencies willing to continue using such detectors would do so at their own peril, Abhisit said.
On the sidelines of the Cabinet meeting, Abhisit met with Army chief Anupong Paochinda to inform him of the test results and have the military stop purchasing more bogus bomb detectors.
The Army chief understood the scientific test, Abhisit said.
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.
"For the time being, the Army will send alternatives, such as Fido explosive detectors and sniffer dogs, to operate in the restive South," he said.
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.
