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

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