BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK

UNCLAS BANGKOK 004635

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PM/DTTC FOR BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR JSTITZIEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK
ON LICENSES 05-949353 AND 05-949357

REF: SECSTATE 117642


1. Pol FSN visited the Border Patrol Police Bureau's (BPPB)
Headquarters in Bangkok on July 26, 2006 and met with Police
COL Phanphong Suksirimat, Superintendent of Logistics, and
Senior Police SGT MAJ Kitttisak Khongrangsan and Police SGT
MAJ Phaison Ukhao-unam, the officials managing the purchase
of Night Vision Devices (NVD).


2. The three officials confirmed receipt of the two
shipments of NVD outlined in reftel. One was a lot of 20
NVDs serial numbers RS 16008-RS 16025 and RS 16027-RS 16028
which the contractor, "Viriyakit Co., LTD." had delivered to
the BPPB on May 6, 2005. BPPB designated three police
officers to examine and receive the shipment on May 18, 2005.
This lot of equipment was pursuant to BPPB Purchase Order
No. SO 12/2547, dated April 21, 2004, signed by Deputy BPPB
Commissioner Police Major General Boworn Songkasiri and the
Viriyakit Col, LTD. Boworn has since retired.


3. The second lot of 40 NVDs, serial numbers RS 16307-RS
16346 was delivered by Viriyakit Col, LTD on May 20, 2005 and
was examined by three police officers prior to receipt on
June 22, 2005. This lot was pursuant to BPPB Purchase Order
No. SO 35/47, dated September 30, 2004, signed by BPPB
Commissioner Police LTG Sarot Panya and the Viriyakit Co.,
LTD.


4. The NVDs are distributed among BPPB regional offices as
follows:

BPPB Regional 4 HQ in Songkhla 2 devices
BPPB Sub-Division 11 in Chanthaburi 1 device
BPPB Sub-Division 13 in Kanchanaburi 2 devices
BPPB Sub-Division 14 in Prachuap Khirikhan 1 device
BPPB Sub-Division 21 in Surin 1 device
BPPB Sub-Division 22 in Ubon Ratchathani 1 device
BPPB Sub-Division 31 in Phitsanulok 1 device
BPPB Sub-Division 41 in Chumphon 3 devices
BPPB Sub-Division 42 in Nakhon Sithammarat 5 devices
BPPB Sub-Division 43 in Songkhla 10 devices
BPPB Sub-Division 44 in Yala 23 devices
BPPB Training Sub-Division 8 in Nakhon Sithammarat 1 device
BPPB Training Sub-Division 9 in Songkhla 1 device
BPPB Airborne Reinforcement Sub-Division in Phetchaburi 8
devices


5. The officials acknowledged that they understood and are
abiding by the licenses' limitations and provisos. They
demonstrated clear understanding of End-User and USML
regulations, however, their unit does not possess or use the
NVDs. The officials were uncertain whether the commanders of
the units outlined above are briefed on the provisos.


6. The officials are aware of requirements that they must
report in writing any loss, theft or unauthorized access in
writing to PM/DDTC. To date, there have been no incidents.
BPPB procedures are to punish any official who loses or
destroys a device unless damage is the result of a clash with
criminals.


7. The officials acknowledged the requirement to perform
monthly 100 per cent physical count inventories and quarterly
100 per cent serial number inventories. They perform the
monthly inspection but are uncertain whether the quarterly
inspection is performed.


8. The NVDs were housed in a controlled-acess, monitored,
double barrier protection facility prior to their being
issued to the field. The officials reported that the NVDs
are stored in appropriate facilities in the field, but POL
FSN was unable to inspect any of those sites in person.


9. POL FSN was also unable to make a spot check of the NVDs'
image intensifier tubes since the equipment has been
distributed around the country. Post requests guidance from
PM/DTCC whether the Department wishes us to inspect the 12
facilities located around the country. Please note:
considerable expense and time would be involved.
ARVIZU