Abhisit says Army would be responsible for its actions
Too quick to comment on a bomb attack in the deep South yesterday in which two soldiers were wounded, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said military units still using the controversial GT200 explosive scanner did so "at their own risk" and "would face the conse¬quences".
The explosion in Pattani's Khok Pho district turned out to be a preemptive roadside attack on a patrol squad about to set up a security outpost. The incident did not involve a mine or clearing explosives with the GT200 scanner.
The blast, from a homemade bomb set off by a mobile phone sig¬nal, wounded two soldiers in a squad of 10 from Company 1533.
There was no ensuing gunfire. The attackers looked to have fled, as search teams assembled after found no trace of them.
The premier's statement signified his unspoken stance against ongoing use of the device by the Army, after a scientific test proved it was inefficient. He made no public statement after news reports that yesterday's bomb attack was not linked to use of the GT200.
Speaking shortly after the blast - before it was confirmed that the GT200 was not used in the Pattani bomb attack yesterday - Abhisit said: "We repeat that the risk remains for any military units using the device, as they face consequences over their responsibilities if still using it."
Asked if Four Army Region chief Lt General Phichet Wisaijorn would be held responsible for the bomb and use of the device, Abhisit appeared lenient, saying: "I don't think what happened was an act of defiance [by the military]. It's just familiarity and moralerelated incentive that the soldiers have been used to. We still need to help them understand that the scanner does not operate on a scientific basis."
Meanwhile, Jessada Denduangborriphan, a Chulalongkorn University lecturer who was part of the team of scien¬tists that conducted the government test on the GT200 scanner, has resigned, reportedly out of stress that his role as a scientist might spur a conflict with the military, who insist on using the device.
A replacement would be sought to replace him on the test committee if Jessada did not to rejoin it after the committee clarifies his situation, Phoomsan Seniwongse na Ayutthaya, secretary to Science Minister Kalaya Sophonpanich, said.
Kalaya said earlier she and test committee members would travel to the deep South to talk with soldiers about use of GT200 next week.
