BLUE LANTERN POST-SHIPMENT END USE CHECK ON

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002986 SIPDIS FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN POST-SHIPMENT END USE CHECK ON LICENSES 050123318, 050131759, 050131068, AND 050131059 REF: STATE 92332 ¶1. (U) Bona fides of Mata Firearms: Registration No.: 0103518007989 Registration Date: May 26, 1975 Status: Limited partnership Capital Registration: 350,000 baht Partners: Aporn Muanthae, with an investment of 40,000 baht; Sanit Dejchaiyan, with an investment of 10,000 baht; Warachot Muanthae, with an investment of 50,000 baht, Sompol Muanthae, with an investment of 50,000 baht, Hassadin Muanthae, with an investment of 50,000 baht, Sallaya Muanthae, with an investment of 50,000 baht, and Metha Muanthae, with an investment of 100,000 baht. Company Location: 49, Burapha Rd., Wang Burapha Phirom SubDistrict, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok The company has submitted annual financial reports for 1999- ¶2008. Purpose of Company: To sell firearms and ammunition. The company was not listed in the phone directory. The reftel phone number was registered under the name of Hassadin Firearms Part., Ltd. with the same address as stated reftel and in the commercial registration. The business profile of Hassadin Firearms Part., Ltd. as listed by the Ministry of Commerce is as follows: Registration No. 0103513019911 Registration date: November 11, 1970 Status: Limited partnership Partners: Aporn Muanthae, with an investment of 40,000 baht; Sanit Dejchaiyan, with an investment of 5,000 baht, Warachot Muanthae, with an investment of 50,000 baht, Sompol Muanthae, with an investment of 50,000 baht; Hassadin Muanthae, with an investment of 50,000 baht, Sallaya Muanthae, with an investment of 50,000 baht, and Metha Muanthae, with an investment of 100,000 baht. Company Location: 49, Burapha Rd., Wang Burapha Phirom SubDistrict, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok The company has submitted annual financial reports for 1999- ¶2008. Purpose of Company: To sell firearms and ammunition. ¶2. (U) Bona Fides of P. Phanich Firearms Part., Ltd.: Registration No.: 0103512004431 Registration Date: March 19, 1969 Status: Limited Partnership Partners: Uraiwan Pattana-olan, with an investment of 50,000 baht; Phanich Pattana-olan, with an investment of 100,000 baht, and Pensri Vannaswang, with an investment of 150,000 baht. Company Location: 11, Burapha Rd., Wang Burapha Phirom SubDistrict, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok The company has submitted annual financial reports for �0A;1999-2008. Purpose of the company: To sell firearms and ammunition. The P. Phanich Firearms was not listed in the Phone Directory. Reftel phone numbers were registered to Phanich Pattana-Olan, who is one of the shop's shareholders. The address of the shop was confirmed. ¶3. (U) We visited Fixtech September 29 and met by Dissatat Dejthamrong. - Did you ever have physical possession of the firearms listed on these licenses? Response: No, the company is a trading company and authorized sale representative for Smith & Wesson. The company never physically handles imported firearms. Firearm shops will send purchase orders and necessary Ministry of Interior documents to the company, which will then examine and forward them to the Smith & Wesson. Once the firearms arrive at the Bangkok airport, the company will inform the sales shop which would get customs clearance and transport the firearms. - If so, pleased provide all documentation that demonstrates the firearms were transferred to the end-users listed on these licenses. Response: Dissathat presented all related documents regarding the purchases of the firearms. It appears that all were imported and processed legitimately. - Do these four companies have any connection between them? Response: Not to knowledge of Dissathat. ¶4. (U) We visited Mata Firearms September 28 and met Metha Muanthae. The shop was identified as Hassadin Firearms and Mata Firearms and was located shophouse in a busy firearm selling area. There were CCTVs in the shop and an iron safe. - When was your company established and who are its principals? Response: The shop was registered in the firearm trade in May, 1975. - What products and services does your company provide? Response: The shop imports and sells pistols, revolvers, rifles, and ammunition from the U.S. and other foreign countries. It does not provide the firearm maintenance or sell firearm accessories. - Who are your regular customers and where do they reside? Response: General public and government officials, who are Thai citizens and hold a Permit to Purchase a Firearm (P. 3) issued by Director of Bureau of Investigation and Legal Affairs, Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, for buyers living in Bangkok, and by the District Chiefs nationwide. - What are your annual sales of US-origin firearms? Response: Among the firearms imported, approximately 50 percent are from the U.S. Average annual sales are about 2 million baht. Metha admitted that his shop holds two Permits for Sale of Firearms for Commercial Purpose, one under the name of Mata Firearms and the other under the name of Hassadin Firearms. One permit authorizes the import of not more than 30 pistols and 50 rifles per year plus another portion of ammunitions. By law, one firearm shop can possess only one such permit. In practice, one permit is not enough to maintain a business. Each shop or firearm trader thus needs to have more permits by registering more shops. - Please provide all documentation on the sale of a Smith & Wesson firearm serial number BJM3309. Please provide any information you have on this customer. Response: All documents were presented. Mata holds the Permit for Sale of Firearms for Commercial Purpose, No. PK 98/2552, issued June 18, 2009, to expire June 17, 2010, approved by Director of Bureau of Investigation and Legal Affairs, Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior. The item was imported under the Permit for Order and Import of Firearms, No. PK 642/2551, issued July 23, 2008, to expire July 22, 2009, signed by Director of Bureau of Investigation and Legal Affairs, Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior. This item was one of six imported from the Smith & Wesson under this Permit. The item arrived at the Bangkok Airport on November 6, 2008, and was sold/registered to the buyer on November 24, 2008. - To whom did you sell this firearm? Where does this customer reside? Response: The buyer resided in Phra Samut Chedi District of Samut Prakan Province when he bought this gun. He was a first-time customer and held the legal Permit P.3 to purchase the firearm. Like other firearm shops, once the gun was sold, the shop was no longer responsible for the item. It was the responsibility of the buyer and the District Office, to which the buyer has to report the change of ownership or storage location of the firearm. - Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of US-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? Response: Yes. - Additional inquiry to the Firearm Registration Section, Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan Province. Response: The Division provided a document that showed that the pistol had been transferred to another person living in Prachinburi District of Prachinburi Province on January 14, ¶2009. The new owner was a village headman and a cousin of the previous owner. The original owner was Sura Somrup of 220/579, Moo 4, Nai Khlong Bang Pla Kot, Sub-District. The weapon was registered as: A semi-automatic 9 mm firearm, Foreign SN: BJM3309 (Smith & Wesson) Thai SN: BK 5106278 Licensed by: Phra Samut Chedi District Ref. No.: 412/51, dated December 17, 2008 Transferred to: Surasak Sae Lao, residing at 29, Moo 17, Noen Hom Sub-District, Muang Prachinburi District, Prachinburi Province. ¶5. (U) We visited P. Phanich Firearms September 28 and met Pensri Vannaswang. The address was confirmed. The shop is a shophouse. - When was your company established and who are its principals? Response: The shop was registered in the firearm trade in March, 1969. - What products and services does your company provide? Response: The shop imports and sells the pistols, revolvers, and rifles from the U.S. (Smith Wesson and Remington) and the Czech Republic. - Who are your regular customers and where do they reside? Response: Ordinary citizens and government officials, who are the qualified Thai citizens and hold the Permit to Purchase a Firearm (P.3). The permit lasts six months. - What are your annual sales of US-origin firearms? Response: The shop is able to sell approximately sixty U.S.-origin firearms a year. The annual net gain is approximately 600,000 baht. - Please provide all documentation on the sale of a Smith & Wesson firearm serial number B31Y13313. Please provide any information you have on this customer. Response: All necessary documents were presented. P. Phanich holds the Permit for Sale of Firearms for Commercial Purpose, No. PK 7/2552, issued on March 25, 2009, to expire on March 24, 2010, approved by Director of Bureau of Investigation and Legal Affairs, Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior. The item was imported by P. Phanich under the Permit for Order and Import of Firearms, No. PK 1004/2551, originally issued to Olan Firearms Part., Ltd., on October 8, 2008, to expire on October 7, 2009. P. Phanich processed it on behalf of Olan. It was one of five imported from the Smith & Wesson under this Permit. The item arrived at the Bangkok airport December 9, 2008, and was sold/registered to the buyer on December 24, 2008. - To whom did you sell this firearm? Where does this customer reside? Response: Chaloemsak Yotyoi, the buyer, resided in Cha-am District of Phetchaburi Province. He was a first-time customer and held a legal Permit P.3 to purchase the firearm. - Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of US-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? Response: Yes. ¶6. (U) We visited Aumnaj Firearms September 28 and met Ratchani Phienphithak. - What are your annual sales of US-origin firearms? Response: The shop holds three Permits for Sale of Firearms for Commercial Purpose, registered in three different shop names. On average, her shop is able to sell approximately l00 U.S.-origin firearms a year. - Please provide all documentation on the sale of a Smith & Wesson firearm serial number BJM331O. Please provide any information you have on this customer. Response: Aumnaj holds the Permit for Sale of Firearms for Commercial Purpose, No. PK 129/2552, issued on Aug 24, 2009, to expire on Aug 23, 2010. The item was imported under the Permit for Order and Import of Firearms, No. PK 903/2551, issued on Sept 19, 2008, to expire on Sept 18, 2009. It was one of nine imported from the Smith & Wesson under the permit. The item arrived at Bangkok airport January 5, 2009, and was sold/registered to the buyer on February 23, 2009. - To whom did you sell this firearm? Where does this customer reside? Response: Sanit Lohaphum, the buyer, resided in Lang Suan District of Chumphon Province. He was a first-time customer and held the legal Permit P.3 to purchase the firearm. - Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of US-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? Response: Yes. ¶7. (U) We visited Erawan Firearms September 28 and met Uthain and Amornthep Sachdey. - What are your annual sales of US-origin firearms? Response: Erawan is one of the major firearm shops in Bangkok. It possesses eleven Permits for Sale of Firearms for Commercial Purpose (under eleven different shop names),plus networking relationships with eight other firearm shops. On average, Erawan imports U.S.-origin firearms worth $l50,000 to 250,000. - Please provide all documentation on the sale of a Smith & Wesson firearm serial number BJM3348. Please provide any information you have on this customer. Response: Frawan holds the Permit for Sale of Firearms for Commercial Purpose, No. PK 18/2552, issued on April 27, 2009, to expire on April 26, 2010. The item was imported by Erawan under the Permit for Order and Import of Firearms, No. PK 927/2551, originally issued to the Dissathat Firearms Part., Ltd., on Oct 3, 2008, to expire on Oct 2, 2009. Erawan processed it on behalf of Dissathat. It was one of ten imported from the Smith & Wesson. The item arrived at Bangkok Airport December 9, 2008, and was sold/registered to the buyer on March 11, 2009. - To whom did you sell this firearm? Where does this customer reside? Response: Amnuai Wa-ngazuma, the buyer, resided in Udonthani District of Udonthani Province. She was a regular customer and a Thai wife of a Japanese husband. She held the legal Permit P.3 to purchase the firearm. - Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of US-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? Response: Yes. ¶8. (U) We visited the Bureau of Investigation and Legal Affairs, Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior September 28 and met officials from the Firearm Shop Section and the Bureau's Front Office. Coincidentally, Wichai Thanomsap, the Chairman of the Firearm Traders Association of Thailand, was there and helped to respond to questions. - Are Mata Firearms and P. Phanich Firearms properly authorized to import and sell defense articles in Thailand? Response: Yes. They are legally registered with Ministry of Commerce and have been licensed by Ministry of Interior's Department of Provincial Administration for firearm trade. Their licenses, like other firearm shops, are issued annually and renewable yearly. As examining the copies of licenses of both shops, they are genuine and still effective. - Do you have any records of Mata Firearms, Aumnaj Firearms, ¶P. Phanich Firearms, and Erawan Firearms that would question their reliability as a recipient of U.S. defense articles? Response: No, they have been in business for a long time and are the reliable firearm shops. - Do you have any records of Mata Firearms, Aumnaj Firearms, ¶P. Phanich Firearms, or Erawan Firearms exporting U.S.-origin firearms to end-users outside Thailand? Response: No, it is against Thai law to do so. They would face criminal penalty and lose their permits on firearm trade. A firearm shop must only sell guns to Thai nationals who hold a permit to buy a gun. - Do these companies have any connection between them? Response: These companies do not have connection. ¶9. (U) The officials provided printouts of details of pistols with SN of BJM 3309, BJM 3310, BJM 3348, which have already been put into the Bureau's computer registration system. The document on BJM 3313 had not yet been inputed. BJM3310 License No.: 54/2552 Place of Issuance: Lang Suan District, Chumphon Province Issued: February 23, 2009 to Sanit Lohaphum ID Card No.: 3-8604-00343-78-6 Address: 41/00, Khan Ngoen Sub District, Lang Suan District, Chumphon Province Type of Firearm: Pistol Firearm Size: 9 mm Firearm Model Semi-Automatic Firearm S/N BJM331O Firearm Manufacturer: Smith and Wesson Registration No.: BK 200414 Acquired by purchase February 23, 2009 Certified as genuine as of September 28, 2009 BJM3348 License No.: 158/2552 Place of Issuance: Muang Udonthani District, Udonthani Province Issued: March 11, 2009 to Amnuai Wa-ngazuma ID Card No.: 3-4105-00142-36-1 Address: 457/80, Moo 3, Mak Khang Sub District, Muang Udonthani District, Udonthani Province Type of Firearm: Pistol Firearm Size: 9 mm Firearm Model: Semi-Automatic Firearm S/N BJM3348 Firearm Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson Registration No.: BK 5107283 Acquired by purchase March 11, 2009 Certified as genuine as of September 28, 2009 BJM3309 License No.: 412/2551 Place of Issuance: Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan Province Issued: December 17, 2008 to Sura Somrup ID Card No.: 3-3209-01177-60-3 Address: 143, Moo 17, Noen Hom Sub-district, Prachinburi Province Type of Firearm: Pistol Firearm Size: 9 mm Firearm Model: Semi-Automatic Firearm S/N BJM3309 Firearm Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson Registration No.: BK 5106278 Acquired by purchase Certified as genuine as of September 28, 2009 ¶10. (U) All pistols were verified in Thailand by Post through the receipt of emailed pictures. Details as follows: BJM3309 - Surasak Sae Lao emailed Post pictures November 17 that showed the serial number on the pistol. BJM3310 - Sanit Lohaphum emailed Post pictures November 16 that showed the serial number on the pistol. BJM3313 - Chaloemsak emailed Post pictures November 24 that showed the serial number on the pistol. BJM3348 - Amnuai Wa-ngazuma emailed Post pictures November 19 that showed the serial number on the pistol. Amnuai also took the pistol to the Udonthani District Office for inspection and received a certificate guaranteeing that she has possession of the pistol. JOHN