【整理】【Kaleidoscope】2005-09-28

This could soon be part of Thailand's War on Terror. A bullet-proof vest designed to protect monks. Altough Buddhists are seen as peace-loving, monks have been targeted by Muslim militants who see them as members of the Thai establishment.

"You don't have the weapon, you don't have the everything for saving his life."

One reason why the manufacturer thinks his product has potential is it costs less than most body armor on the market. A vest that can be worn underneath a monks' saffron robes and tested to withstand a round from a powerful handgun, retails for around 200 US dollars. It comes with a number of accessories, including a fan that shields the head. Sumpon Eerbomrid who developed this equipment says he has the support of the Buddhist community and wants to supply vests to monks as soon as possible. Sumpon is famous for innovative security technology. Vehicle traps to thwary an attack. Mobile phones which fire rubber bullets. In fact, one of his heros is "Q", the gadget guru in James Bond movies.

Obviously, secret agents would love to come here, military officers, police officers, but who else wants to get caught up, such like this. Sumpon says he certainly not expecting monks to show up at the factory gate. Instead, he wants the government or religious organizations to buy vests and donate them to monks at risk. "Have they bought any yet?" "No." To convince officials, security experts say Sumpon has to demonstrate his vests are practical, as good as other products on the market, and that his technology can be used by any civilian.

"Perhaps the technology he utilized could be deployed in other situations not necessarily relating to monks but to a wider commercial market."

But Sumpon maintains monks must not be neglected. "If the government can not save the monk, it can not save the land." Andrew Brown CNN Bangkok.

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