Drug busters say they have better detector

Alpha 6 is cheaper than GT200 with more uses

28/01/2010
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Writer: King-Oua Laohong and Sunan Srinuanjan

A television news reporter uses a GT200 bomb detector to locate a bomb hidden in a football field at the Army Ordnance Department in Ratchaburi. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

The GT200 bomb and drug detetector is not the only model in use in Thailand, and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board says it is more than happy with its cheaper and more effective Alpha 6 device.

The GT200 is used widely in the South for bomb detection.

ONCB secretary-general Krisna Polananta yesterday said his agency had been using the Alpha 6 device since 2007 to combat drug smuggling along the northern border.

It works well and the board is looking to buy 16 more from the British manufacturer ComsTrac. The Alpha 6 can also be used as a bomb detector.

Pol Lt Gen Krisna said the Alpha 6 device was 70% effective in detecting drugs, including speed pills, hidden in cars and PVC pipes.

He said the ONCB could not afford to buy the GT200 as they were not suited to the office's work and were too expensive.

The Alpha 6 is priced at 400,000 baht while a GT200 costs between 900,000 and 1.2 million baht.

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