VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBK #2990/01 3281041
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241041Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9084
INFO RUETIAA/DIRNSA FORT GEORGE G MEADE MD PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BANGKOK 002990
SIPDIS
FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF WITHAN
MAKARABHIROM, CASE NO. K-1925
REF: STATE 99600
1. (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Siam
Aviation Co., Ltd. was listed as follows:
Registration No. 0105515008722
Registered Date: December 6, 1972
Status: Limited Partnership
Capital Registration: 4,000,000 baht
Partners: Withan Makarabhirom, Wara Makarabhirom, Worathan
Makarabhirom, and Parichat Chantharowat
Company Location: Company Location: 89/16, the Arnornphan 205
Tower 1 (Fl. 12A), Soi Nathong, Rachadaphisek Rd., Din Daeng,
Bangkok
The company has submitted annual financial reports for
1999-2008.
Purpose of Company: To sell aircraft, avionic electronic
equipment, helicopters, spare parts, and machine spare part
2. (U) The company was listed in the phone directory,
however, its phone numbers was 02-248-763 0-2. The reftel
phone number was listed for The Siam International (1994)
Co., Ltd., locating at 1479, Sriwara Town-in-Town, Soi Lat
Phrao 94. Lat Phrao Rd., Wang Thong Lang, Bangkok. Per an
additional search to Ministry of Commerce's website, this
company was listed and still active with a lone company
executive, Chinnawat Tantimasakun. Its registered capital
was 4 millions baht and the purpose of the company is to
manufacture tackles, trekking and mountain-climbing gears,
signal/marking banners, and snap link units. Per an inquiry
to an operator of Siam International, she did not know Siam
Aviation. Per an inquiry to Siam Aviation, he said the
reftel phone number did not belong to his company.
3. (U) We visited Siam Aviation October 5 and met Worathan
Makarabhirom. The location was confirmed as stated reftel
and the office was inside an 18-floor office building.
4. (U) Cable inquiries:
- Confirm that this entity is in the business of brokering
defense articles and defense services at the location(s)
indicated under its legal name(s)
Response: The business was confirmed as evidenced by the
Ministry of Commerce's Commercial Registration. Its location
was also confirmed by the site visit.
- Determine whether this entity is authorized to conduct such
activities in its home country.
Response: Authorization to conduct activities was confirmed
by its registration with the Ministry of Commerce. The
company is not required to register with any other state
agency else. As the company imports, sells, and services
communication equipment, it has to register its services and
equipment with the National Telecommunication Commission,
which oversees and administrates radio and communication
frequencies and permissions in the country. Although not a
legal requirement, the company also registers with state and
private agencies as a recognized supplier. By this practice,
when a bid for service or purchase is called, the company
will be on the lists of suppliers.
- Whether the entity has any criminal or other derogatory
background
Response: Worathan stated that none of the company executives
had a criminal record, nor did the company itself. Per an
internet search, no report of derogatory information was
found.
- Whether Post has any information on its brokering or arms
export activities that may involve proscribed entities such
as countries under U.S. or international sanctions, or
designated state sponsors of terrorism.
Response: As to Worathan, the company did not have any
business link or connection with the countries categorized
above. His company conducts business with the U.S., the
United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Singapore, and Germany.
- Will the brokering firm be handling or storing USML items
on behalf of its clients?
Response: In normal practice, when the products arrive at the
port of entry, the company will assist the clients to do
customs and port clearance, and the products will be directly
transported by the clients or the company from the port of
entry to the clients' warehouses. In some occasions, after
the port clearance, the products may be stored at the company
for approximately 3-7 days pending delivery to the clients.
At the time of delivery, the products will be transported by
company van to the clients with two employees as guards. The
company did not store USML items in the company's warehouse
for sale.
- If so, does it have secure facilities and proper accounting
and security procedures for handling sensitive USML items?
Response: The products pending delivery will be stored in one
of the company's rooms. There was no safe or secure room.
The office itself did not have a day or a night guard, but
the building provided the guards and security for the entire
building at all times. The company insisted that it kept
proper accounting for the items stocked.
- When was the company established and who are its
principals? How many employees?
Response: The company was established in December, 1972 with
its principals as stated above. Worathan said the company
had 10-15 employees. They are divided into Marketing and
Sales, Administration, Accounting, and Executives.
- What is the nature of its business and what other types of
items does it handle?
Response: The company is an importer/distributor of aircraft
(helicopters) and spare parts, avionic equipment and spare
parts, airport electronic and communication system, aero
communication system, fixed-wing aircraft spare parts,
defense-related systems, and is also a service, installation,
consultancy, and maintenance provider. The company is a
representative/distributor of the Argon ST Imaging Group,
Astronautics Corporation of America, DRS Communications,
Garmin International, Herley Industries, Honeywell Aerospace
Electronic Systems, and ITT Defense International. Other
foreign companies represented by this company are Bed
Technologies, Esterline CMC Electronics, Emteq, Lital SPA,
Nautel Limited, and Selex Communications.
- What types of organizations are among its typical clients
and in What countries are they located?
Response: Its clients included the aviation divisions of the
Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy, the Royal Thai Air
Force, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Royal
Rain-Making Project, as well as Thai Airways International,
the Airport Authority of Thailand, some domestic private
airlines, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, Department of
Civil Aviation, and the Civil Aviation Training Center.
- Does the company understand the restrictions on USML items,
especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers
and re-exports?
Response: Yes. The company holds the US Department of State
Broker's license with the Registration Code: K-1925.
5. (U) The company does not have a CCTV system or alarm
system. The doors to the company are made of glass without
iron bars or gates. We suggested to the company that it
develop a more secure place to store USML items.
JOHN