Tunnel vision approach to war on drugs

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Tunnel vision approach to war on drugs

A new scanning device will help authorities identify smugglers on northern routes

Published: 6/02/2012 at 03:05 AM
Newspaper section: News

The Narcotics Suppression Bureau is going hi-tech in its efforts to detect drugs in transit through the two northern provinces of Phrae and Lampang _ a major transportation route.

Chaiwat: On the hunt for drug smugglers

The bureau plans to pay 600 million baht for two tunnel-like scanners that can X-ray vehicles for hidden drugs. The trucks drive through the tunnel and are scanned.

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About the author

: Writer: Wassayos Ngamkham; Position: Reporter

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siamskunk
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Discussion 11 : 06/02/2012 at 08:08 PM11
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almost as brilliant as the ctx9000 scanner sham....
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loopholes
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Discussion 10 : 06/02/2012 at 07:45 PM10
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Perhaps they should review the still pending Suvarnabhumi airport case during TRT regime before
proceeding with putting the scanner purchase out for bidding, right ?
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 9 : 06/02/2012 at 12:53 PM9
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@ victor careford #8: you are right, 600,000,000B is a lot of money for this.
I guess the manufacturer has also some “how to use these machines” courses for maybe 40,000B per person. I would not be surprised if the Narcotics Suppression Bureau does not send too many officers to these courses – they have to save money somewhere!
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victor careford

Discussion 8 : 06/02/2012 at 10:07 AM8
600,000,000? That's an awful lot! What do you think is the "commission" on this little deal? The machine is only as good as the operator, No pressure there, then.
from iPhone application.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 7 : 06/02/2012 at 09:29 AM7
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“The bureau wants to install the scanners along the main roads” Great, how about the minor roads?
And when the police wants to pull over any suspicious vehicle I guess the following are never suspicious: luxury cars, well know politicians and other influential people, police and military officers, etc
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fundeena
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Discussion 6 : 06/02/2012 at 09:20 AM6
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The amount of drugs seized, is always inflated; the amount of drugs seized, is just the tip of the iceberg; no druglords are ever arrested, only a few mules.
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ottete
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Discussion 5 : 06/02/2012 at 08:13 AM5
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In effect of this, all police or military protectors will be asking a higher bribe. If safety to its route is guaranteed then possibly the drug financiers, producers, distributors, dealers and retailers won't be bothered with this high-tech scanning equipment. But these protectors have to think twice because sooner or later their secret illegal activity will be revealed and will hurt their reputation and their beloved family.
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drsmith
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Discussion 4 : 06/02/2012 at 07:36 AM4
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Tranparency is required as these type of vehicle X-Ray scanners are sold all over the world for much less than 300,000,000 thb each. Airports all over the world have been using this technology and these vehicle scanners for years
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rontorr
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Discussion 3 : 06/02/2012 at 05:44 AM3
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Wake up Thailand! When you announce a raid before it happens you are warning them. when you set up permanent checkpoints and scanners, they will simply bypass them
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lookmoo
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Discussion 2 : 06/02/2012 at 05:00 AM2
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Ha ha ha.. rest assure that the counter measure costs less than 1.000 Baht. How about stop taking bribes.
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