BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF WITHAN

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002990 SIPDIS FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF WITHAN MAKARABHIROM, CASE NO. K-1925 REF: STATE 99600 ¶1. (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Siam Aviation Co., Ltd. was listed as follows: Registration No. 0105515008722 Registered Date: December 6, 1972 Status: Limited Partnership Capital Registration: 4,000,000 baht Partners: Withan Makarabhirom, Wara Makarabhirom, Worathan Makarabhirom, and Parichat Chantharowat Company Location: Company Location: 89/16, the Arnornphan 205 Tower 1 (Fl. 12A),Soi Nathong, Rachadaphisek Rd., Din Daeng, Bangkok The company has submitted annual financial reports for 1999-2008. Purpose of Company: To sell aircraft, avionic electronic equipment, helicopters, spare parts, and machine spare part ¶2. (U) The company was listed in the phone directory, however, its phone numbers was 02-248-763 0-2. The reftel phone number was listed for The Siam International (1994) Co., Ltd., locating at 1479, Sriwara Town-in-Town, Soi Lat Phrao 94. Lat Phrao Rd., Wang Thong Lang, Bangkok. Per an additional search to Ministry of Commerce's website, this company was listed and still active with a lone company executive, Chinnawat Tantimasakun. Its registered capital was 4 millions baht and the purpose of the company is to manufacture tackles, trekking and mountain-climbing gears, signal/marking banners, and snap link units. Per an inquiry to an operator of Siam International, she did not know Siam Aviation. Per an inquiry to Siam Aviation, he said the reftel phone number did not belong to his company. ¶3. (U) We visited Siam Aviation October 5 and met Worathan Makarabhirom. The location was confirmed as stated reftel and the office was inside an 18-floor office building. ¶4. (U) Cable inquiries: - Confirm that this entity is in the business of brokering defense articles and defense services at the location(s) indicated under its legal name(s) Response: The business was confirmed as evidenced by the Ministry of Commerce's Commercial Registration. Its location was also confirmed by the site visit. - Determine whether this entity is authorized to conduct such activities in its home country. Response: Authorization to conduct activities was confirmed by its registration with the Ministry of Commerce. The company is not required to register with any other state agency else. As the company imports, sells, and services communication equipment, it has to register its services and equipment with the National Telecommunication Commission, which oversees and administrates radio and communication frequencies and permissions in the country. Although not a legal requirement, the company also registers with state and private agencies as a recognized supplier. By this practice, when a bid for service or purchase is called, the company will be on the lists of suppliers. - Whether the entity has any criminal or other derogatory background Response: Worathan stated that none of the company executives had a criminal record, nor did the company itself. Per an internet search, no report of derogatory information was found. - Whether Post has any information on its brokering or arms export activities that may involve proscribed entities such as countries under U.S. or international sanctions, or designated state sponsors of terrorism. Response: As to Worathan, the company did not have any business link or connection with the countries categorized above. His company conducts business with the U.S., the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Singapore, and Germany. - Will the brokering firm be handling or storing USML items on behalf of its clients? Response: In normal practice, when the products arrive at the port of entry, the company will assist the clients to do customs and port clearance, and the products will be directly transported by the clients or the company from the port of entry to the clients' warehouses. In some occasions, after the port clearance, the products may be stored at the company for approximately 3-7 days pending delivery to the clients. At the time of delivery, the products will be transported by company van to the clients with two employees as guards. The company did not store USML items in the company's warehouse for sale. - If so, does it have secure facilities and proper accounting and security procedures for handling sensitive USML items? Response: The products pending delivery will be stored in one of the company's rooms. There was no safe or secure room. The office itself did not have a day or a night guard, but the building provided the guards and security for the entire building at all times. The company insisted that it kept proper accounting for the items stocked. - When was the company established and who are its principals? How many employees? Response: The company was established in December, 1972 with its principals as stated above. Worathan said the company had 10-15 employees. They are divided into Marketing and Sales, Administration, Accounting, and Executives. - What is the nature of its business and what other types of items does it handle? Response: The company is an importer/distributor of aircraft (helicopters) and spare parts, avionic equipment and spare parts, airport electronic and communication system, aero communication system, fixed-wing aircraft spare parts, defense-related systems, and is also a service, installation, consultancy, and maintenance provider. The company is a representative/distributor of the Argon ST Imaging Group, Astronautics Corporation of America, DRS Communications, Garmin International, Herley Industries, Honeywell Aerospace Electronic Systems, and ITT Defense International. Other foreign companies represented by this company are Bed Technologies, Esterline CMC Electronics, Emteq, Lital SPA, Nautel Limited, and Selex Communications. - What types of organizations are among its typical clients and in What countries are they located? Response: Its clients included the aviation divisions of the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy, the Royal Thai Air Force, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Royal Rain-Making Project, as well as Thai Airways International, the Airport Authority of Thailand, some domestic private airlines, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, Department of Civil Aviation, and the Civil Aviation Training Center. - Does the company understand the restrictions on USML items, especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports? Response: Yes. The company holds the US Department of State Broker's license with the Registration Code: K-1925. ¶5. (U) The company does not have a CCTV system or alarm system. The doors to the company are made of glass without iron bars or gates. We suggested to the company that it develop a more secure place to store USML items. JOHN