Agencies plan action over GT 200
An indictment against the UK-based manufacturer of GT200 and Alpha 6 remote substance detectors will be decided on August 24, when 13 government agencies that bought or used the devices are scheduled to meet, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI)
The devices were introduced during the term of Abhisit Vejjajiva’s government to detect explosives and drugs, but were found to be completely ineffective. Some loss of life resulted from their false readings.
Agencies found guilty of purchasing the devices with the knowledge they were fraudulent, or through bid-rigging, will be faced with indictment in a separate process under the jurisdiction of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, said DSI director-general Tharit Phengdit.
About 60 days remain under the statute of limitations for Thai authorities to take criminal action against UK-based Global Technical Ltd and its suppliers or sales representatives, he said.
Under DSI guidance, the 13 agencies that used the devices had agreed initially to reach a conclusion in ways supportive of each other.
Citing a DSI investigation into the matter, Tharit said the manufacturer had planned its fraudulent scheme from the beginning, starting from production, marketing, and fabrication of specifications, as there was no other merchandise that could be used by buyers as a reference.
“It’s no surprise that government agencies in Thailand were duped into buying the GT200 and Alpha 6, as those in more than 20 countries also fell victim to the manufacturer,” he said.
The 13 agencies include the Department of Local Administration, the Customs Department, Provincial Administrative Organisations and police in certain provinces, and the Army Ordnance Department. Evidence and scientific verification against the manufacturer’s claims of proficiency of the devices is being provided by the National Science and Technology Development Agency and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre.
