Perhaps the Thai army (see story below) felt insulted being left out of the spy game…?
Army interrupts Israeli demonstration of wiretapping devices to Special Branch Bureau
May 8, 2015 12:24 pm
BANGKOK: A group of soldiers today raided the meeting room of the Special Branch Bureau and detained nine Israeli technicians and staff while they were demonstrating electronic wire tapping devices to special branch police.
But after the interruption of the planned demonstration by soldiers from the Second Calvary Division of the First Army Region, Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang came out to defend the demonstration saying it was merely a misunderstanding caused by misinformation.
The commissioner said the Royal Thai Police and the Special Branch Bureau have been allocated budget from the government to procure wiretapping devices for use.
He said an Israeli supplier has approached the Royal Thai Police and scheduled today to demonstrate its devices.
However he said as the Army has learned of the Israeli approach, it then asked the firm to explain whether these electronic devices have been granted import permission legitimately or not.
He said the soldiers then invited the Israeli technicians and staff to their office for clarification and to display import documents.
He said the Israeli firm has insisted all its devices have been imported for demonstration legally.
Pol Gen Somyot said an Army colonel had phoned him saying he suspected some devices might be illegally smuggled into the country and sought his permission to interrupt the demonstration.
The commissioner recalled he immediately rang the First Army Region commander and the commander of the Second Calvary Division and also explained to the Israeli technicians of the Army’s request and the firm agreed to cooperate.
Pol Gen Somyot added it happened because of misunderstanding and he would ask the firm to return again for demonstration.