Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK7533
2006-12-21 05:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON

Tags:  ETTC KOMC TH 
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VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #7533/01 3550515
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210515Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3563
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BANGKOK 007533 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR MROMERO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
LICENSE 05-1012492

REF: SECSTATE 195288

UNCLAS BANGKOK 007533

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR MROMERO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
LICENSE 05-1012492

REF: SECSTATE 195288


1. According to the website maintained by the Thai Ministry
of Commerce, Department of Business Development
(www.dbd.go.th),Porn Me Larp Ltd. is listed as follows:

Registration No. 0103518000593
Registration Date: 13 JAN 1975
Name: Porn Me Larp Ltd., Partnership
Capital Registration: 150,000 Baht
Business Partners: Ms. Vilai Puikaew, Mr. Ronnarong Puikaew,
Ms. Ravivan Puikaew.
Managers is Ms. Vilai Puikaew
Location 3/6 Unakan Road, Wang Burapha Phirom Sub-District,
Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
The Business submitted financial reports from 1999 through
2005

According to the Telephone Directory, Porn Me Larp Ltd., is
not listed, however the phone number used in the license is
registered under the name of Mr. Ronnarong Puikaew.


2. On December 19, 2006, POLFSN made an unannounced visit at
the place of business. The company is located in a
four-story concrete building in an area of Bangkok where many
other gun shops are located. During the visit, POLFSN met
with Ms. Vilai Puikaew.


3. Ms. Vilai provided the following responses to reftel
queries:

Can you confirm the order under license 05-1012492?
Yes. Ms. Vilai presented four permits for the importation of
firearms issued by the Thai Department of Provincial
Administration: 553/2549, 554/2549, 555/2549 and 556/2549,
dated between August 22, 2006 valid until August 21, 2007 for
the weapons outlined in reftel. Ms. Vilai also presented a
copy of Purchase Order CRS-112/06, signed and dated September
12,2006, to the RSR Group Inc. All copies were certified by
the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and corresponded with
the information provided in reftel.

Where will the items be stored prior to commercial resale?
Ms. Vilai showed POLFSN a Milner combination safe located on
the first floor of the shop measuring 1.5 x 2 x 1 meter in
which the weapons will be stored. The shop does not have
CCTV or a guard and the windows in the front of the shop do
not have iron bars.

Can you confirm the security of all items in your inventory?
Yes. Ms. Bilai presented a gun inventory, maintained in a
bound book detailing types and serial numbers of guns and the
purchaser's data. Department of Provincial Administration
officials periodically inspect the inventory ledger.

Who will be the final end-users of these pistols?
Ordinary Thai citizens, civil servants and, law enforcement
officials are allowed to purchase weapons with proper permits
by the Department of Provincial Administration. A Thai
citizen wishing to purchase a pistol must obtain a permit
from the Provincial Administration. Government employees are
additionally required to provide evidence of approval from
their supervisor. Foreign nationals are not permitted to buy
a gun without special permission of the Department of
Provincial Administration.

Can you confirm that you keep detailed records of all
customers?
Yes. Ms. Vilai presented the above-mentioned ledger for
inspection. The Department of Provincial Administration also
keeps records of applications for gun permits. None of these
records, however, are computerized.

How long have you been in business and who are your regular
customers?
The company was founded in January 1975 and is family run.
The regular customers include government officials and
private citizens. Ms. Vilai owns two other gun shops:
Thanison Firearms Ltd and Phimpha Firearms Ltd.

Who are the company's principal officers?
See above.

Are you familiar with the restrictions governing the import
of U.S.-origin defense articles, in particular, the
prohibition against unauthorized re-export?
Yes. In addition, Thai law also prohibits the re-export of

imported weapons.

Will any of these pistols be exported out of Thailand?
No.


4. POLFSN also visited the Department of Provincial
Administration, Ministry of Interior and met with Mr.
Kittiphong Yot-aphikun who confirmed that Porn Me Larp Ltd.
is licensed to import and sell firearms in Thailand. Mr.
Kittiphong presented Firearms Sale Permit No. 41/2549, Porn
Me Larp's current license, which is valid from June 20, 2006
until June 19, 2007. Four permits for importing firearms on
the lot of weapons outlined in reftel were also presented.

Do you have derogatory information regarding the conduct of
this firm?
No.
ARVIZU