THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS BANGKOK 001779 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, L/EAP, L/PM, PM/ISO, INR AND DRL PACOM FOR FPA CHRISTY, JIATF/WEST FOR COMMANDER BUSCH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH SUBJECT: THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR: JCET BALANCE TORCH 10-1, EXERCISES, LOP BURI, PHUKET, CHANG MAI AND BANGKOK, OCTOBER 01 - DECEMBER 09, 2009 REF: A. JUSMAG MEMO DATED JULY 21, 2009 ¶B. 05 STATE 021314 - GUIDANCE ¶C. 03 STATE 34981 - GUIDANCE ¶1. (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. ¶2. (U) JUSMAG Bangkok has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for the commanders and units listed below, who have been selected to participate in the above-mentioned exercises. Embassy Bangkok possesses no credible information at this time of gross violations of human rights by these commanders and units. Embassy Bangkok Political Officer, Gillian R. Apfel, is the verifying officer for the Embassy/Department of State. Exercises: JCET Balance Torch 10-1, Exercise, Lop Buri, Phuket, Chang Mai and Bangkok, October 01 - December 09, 2009. JUSMAG is the funding agency. Commanders and Units: Name: Vinai Pimai DPOB: November 19, 1968; Srisaket, Thailand Title/Rank: Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Unit: Royal Thai Army Ranger Battalion Name: Likit Charoensaph DPOB: March 03, 1951; Chonburi, Thailand Title/Rank: Commander, Rear Admiral Unit: Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare (SEALS) Name: Weerapol Koombon DPOB: November 18, 1953; Bangkok, Thailand Title/Rank: Commander, Lieutenant General Unit: Thai Counter-Terrorism Operations Center. JOHN