INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Blue Lantern Level 3: Pre-License End-Use Check On

Published: Tue 8 Jan 2008 10:34 AM
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBK #0070/01 0081034
ZNR UUUUUZZH
R 081034Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1346
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WAHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BANGKOK 000070
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PM/DTCC FOR BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
LICENSE 610001321
REF: SECSTATE 158200
1. (U) Post's pre-license check on Chaiseri Metal & Rubber
Co. raised significant concerns about the company's
understanding of USG regulations pertaining to United States
Munitions List (USML) items. The company appears to be
producing USML defense articles without a manufacturing
license and transferring U.S. origin items to other
countries.
2. (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Aekphatt
Firearms Ltd Partnership is registered as follows:
Registration No. 0135533001424
Registered Date: November 14, 1990
Status: Limited Partnership
Name: Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co., Ltd.
Capital Registration: 150,000,000 Baht
Business partners: Hiran Koolhiran and Kitti Koolhiran
Authorized executives for legal commitments are Mr. Hiran
Koolhiran to co-sign with Mr. Kitti Koolhiran and the
Company's stamp.
Company Location: 41/1 Moo 1, Phaholyotin Rd., Tambon Khlong
Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Pathumthani
The company has submitted annual financial reports for
1999-2006.
Purpose of Company: To produce and manufacture wheeled
vehicles, belt-powered vehicles, belt joints, belted wheels,
and gears.
3. (U) According to the Telephone Directory Center, the phone
numbers for Chaiseri are 02-516-8374 and 02-516-4990.
The registered location for the company is 41/1 Moo 1,
Phaholyotin Rd., Tambon Khlong Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang,
Pathumthani.
4. (U) POL FSN December 19 made an unannounced visit to
Chaiseri's registered location and met with Prasit Koolhiran.
Prasit, Chaiseri's production manager, was unwilling to
discuss company's legal documents and management procedures
and suggested that Hiran Koolhiran could better answer
questions. This location is a large tract of land along a
main highway in an urban area. The two structures on the
property are a four-story office building and a
warehouse/factory building at the rear of the property.
Prasit declined a request to visit the warehouse/factory
building. One security guard and several office staff were
at the office building.
5. (U) POL FSN visited Hiran Koolhiran at the location
indicated reftel, 59 Moo 6, Pathum - Banglen Rd., Kubang
Luang, Lad Lum Kaew, Pathumthani. This location is another
large tract of land along a main road with an office building
and several production buildings. Hiran would not permit a
visit to the production area. Hiran said he was busy with
the preparation for a December 20 inspection by
representatives of the Thai armed forces and declined to
provide detailed answers. Hiran said the company complies
with the U.S. regulations and was willing to provide
necessary documents. He explained that the factory
manufactures spare parts for armored vehicles for both export
and domestic use. Parts imported from the U.S. are for
domestic use only and would not be transferred to a third
country, Hiran said. Chaiseri notifies the Thai Ministry of
Defense's Department of Defense Industry Sales of all sales,
imports, and exports.
6. (U) POL FSN met Hiran Koolhiran January 3 and Hiran
confirmed the purchase order for items listed in reftel but
attempted to avoid providing details of the purchase. Hiran
initially was ambiguous about the origin of the items in the
order and later claimed that he had designed these items but
had not yet copyrighted them. After further inquiries, Hiran
admitted that Chaiseri had imported items of U.S. origin to
repair armored vehicles in Thailand and that the company had
manufactured the items ordered by IPS by copying the items of
U.S. origin. Chaiseri had also transferred items of U.S.
origin to customers in other countries in the past, Hiran
admitted.
7. (U) Regarding restrictions on arms sales, Hiran said he
had no knowledge of International Traffic in Arms Regulations
and was unable to demonstrate an understanding of
restrictions placed on USML items; particularly prohibitions
against unauthorized re-transfers or manufacturing of USML
items. Post was unable to verify Chaiseri's record-keeping
procedures for transactions ivolving M113 parts and other
USML items because iran refused to explain these procedures.
8. () Hiran claimed that he manufactured the items inquestion under the authorization of the Thai Minisry of
Defense but he refused to provide a copy o such
authorization. POL FSN was able to view te production floor
at this location but Hiran deied access to the warehouse.
Hiran claimed his copany never maintained stocks of M113
parts or oter USML items. Ten production workers were in
te factory but no security guards were present.
JOHN
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