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

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000802 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 05-050081688 REF: STATE 13087 ¶1. (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Aumnaj Firearms was registered as follows: Registration No. 0103513014952 Registered Date: August 25, 1970 Status: Limited Partnership Name: Aumnaj Firearms Ltd, Part. Capital Registration: 2,000,000 baht Business partners: Wichien Suphap, with an investment of 1,300,000 baht; Phinit Suphap, with an investment of 400,000 baht; Ratchani Phienphithak, with an investment of 100,000 baht; Winit Suphap, with an investment of 100,000 baht; and Nitthida Suphap, with an investment of 100,000 baht. Manager: Wichien Suphap, without limitation of authority. Location: 66 Unakan Road, Wang Burapha Phirom Sub-District, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. The business has submitted annual financial reports during 1999-2006. Purpose of Company: Wholesale and retail sale of guns and ammunition. ¶2. (U) Aumnaj Firearms Ltd., Part. was listed in the directory under the same address and telephone number as stated in reftel and in the commercial registration. ¶3. (U) POL FSN made an unannounced visit to the company at the address listed reftel. The business was in a three-story concrete shop house in the Bangkok's gun-selling business area. The first floor was open for selling guns and the upper floors were for gun storage. Several staff were in the shop. POL FSN met Winit Suphap who said that reftel guns were ordered by Aumnaj on behalf of the Meekhun Firearms Ltd, Part., the original licensee, who had authorized Aumnaj to do so, as approved by Pricha Chotthawiwat, registrar for Dan Chang District, Suphanburi Province, where Meekhun is located. Winit presented copies of Aumnaj's Purchase Order 00982/2550, dated 12/17/2007; and Import Permit License 3/2550, dated 11/26/2007, by Dan Chang District Chief. ¶4. (U) Additional questions per reftel: How long has your company been in the business of importing and selling defense articles in Thailand? Answer: Aumnaj has been in this business since 1970. It is a family-run business. What services and products are sold by your company? Answer: Import and sale of guns. Most guns sold are from the U.S., Czech Republic, Italy, and Germany. The shop does not sell ammunition to the general public but stocks ammunition to sell to gun customers. The shop does not fix guns or sell gun accessories. Who are your regular customers? Where do they reside? Answer: The general public and law enforcement personnel who reside throughout Thailand. Civil servants in Bangkok are allowed to buy guns via the Ministry of Interior's (MOI) Department of Provincial Administration and civil servants residing outside Bangkok are allowed to buy through the Ministry of Interior's District Office. Buyers must be Thai citizens. A non-Thai cannot purchase a gun unless granted a permit by the MOI. The shop keeps records of each gun and customer, as required by Thai law. Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of US-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? Answer: Yes, this is required by Thai law. ¶6. (U) According to the Ministry of Commerce, Meekhun Firearms Ltd., Part. was registered as follows: Registration No. 0723536000154 Registered Date: April 21, 1993 Status: Limited Partnership Name: Meekhun Firearms Ltd, Part. Capital Registration: 200,000 baht Business Partners: Wiphawi Wanwichit, with an investment of 50,000 baht; Phawini Wanwichit, with an investment of 50,000 baht; Kunthida Wanwichit, with an investment of 50,000 baht; and Chutima Wanwichit, with an investment of 50,000 baht; Managers: Phawini Wanwichit and Chutima Wanwichit, with no limitation of authority. Location: 501 - 502 Mu 5, Tambon Nong Makhamong, Amphoe Dan Chang, Suphanburi. The business has submitted its annual financial reports of Year 1999-2006. Purpose of Company: Wholesale and retail sale of guns and ammunition. JOHN