VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBK #0801 0730950
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130950Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2243
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BANGKOK 000801
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 05-050081972
REF: STATE 13088
1. (U) Post conducted a Blue Lantern check on Yothin Firearms
in April 2007, and its bona fides were confirmed at that
time. POL FSN visited Yothin February 26 to inquire about
Vanich Phanichkriangkrai and the reftel purchase. Thitithon
and Thanaphon Buppharamni, the shop's partners, confirmed the
planned purchase of reftel weapons. Yothin would import the
items on behalf of Vanich, the original licensee, who owns a
shop in Nakhon Nayok Province. The transaction had received
approval from the Nakhon Nayok District Registrar where
Vanich and his business are located.
2. (U) Thitithon and Thanaphon confirmed that they understand
USML and ITAR regulations, particularly the prohibition for
re-export or re-transfer of US-origin weapons. This lot of
guns would be on sale in Bangkok on behalf of Vanich to
buyers who are licensed by the Ministry of Interior.
Thitithon and Thanaphon presented copies of Import Permit No.
3/2550 for Vanich with the import authorization to Yothin,
dated 10/25/2007; and Yothin's Purchase Order No. CKB-117/07,
dated 11/12/2007.
3. (U) POL FSN visited the shop in Nakhon Nayok at the reftel
address. The business was located on a busy street. The
primary business was pet and agricultural supply sales with
gun sales supplemental. No guns were displayed at the shop,
just gun accessories. The shop was called Kasikon Phanit and
was located in a two-story shop house with the second floor
used as living quarters.
4. (U) POL FSN spoke with Vanich and Supphachai
Phanichkriangkrai. They confirmed the planned purchase with
Yothin Firearms acting on the shop's behalf. Both confirmed
that they clearly understood and followed
USML and ITAR regulations. All gun shops must be aware of
these requirements.
5. (U) According to Supphachai, most of the reftel guns would
go on sale in Bangkok via Yothin. Only a small number of
guns would be delivered to the shop in Nakhon Nayok for
customers those who had already reserved the guns. Customers
must possess a permit from the Ministry of Interior or a
District Chief in order to purchase a gun. Guns were stored
in an old iron safe located in an unsecured area on the first
floor in the rear of the shop. One security person guards the
shop at night.
6. (U) Supphachai presented copies of the same import permit
as presented by Yothin. He also showed the shop
registration, No. 1298, Requesting No. 0 1298/2526, issued by
the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Commerce Office, on July 1, 1983.
The registration was under the name of Vanich
Phanichkriangkrai with the business name of Kasikon Phanit.
The purpose of the business was to sell pet food, chemical
fertilizer, weed killer chemical, agricultural equipment,
guns, and ammunition. The business was located at Khor
2-016/15, Sena Phinit Rd., Nakhon Nayok Sub-District, Muang
Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok. An additional inquiry
to Mr. Yutthana of Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration
Organization's Registration Section, confirmed the
registration and no derogatory information was found. Deputy
Muang Nakhon Nayok District Chief Sawoi Uaioun, who
supervises the gun shops in Nakhon Nayok, confirmed Vanich's
gun business and the import permit.
7. (U) Vanich is listed in the telephone directory as:
Name: Mr. Vanich Phanichkriangkra.
Address: 116/54 Rang Nam Rd., Thanon Phaya Thai Sub-District,
Rajathewi District, Bangkok, Thailand 10400. Tel:
02-538-2358, 02-246-4027.
Vanich is a former member of parliament and Councilor to
Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration Organization.
Kasikon Phanit was listed in the directory.
Address: Khor 2-016/15, Sena Phinit Rd., Nakhon Nayok
Sub-District, Muang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok.
Tel: 037-311-055.
JOHN