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

UNCLAS STATE 020018 SIPDIS BANGKOK FOR THOMAS HINES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050145190 ¶1. This is an Action Request. See paragraphs 2 - 4. ¶2. The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests Post's assistance in conducting a pre-license check on license 050145190 for the export of pistols to Thailand. Post is requested to complete this Blue Lantern check within 30 days. Lack of response to a Blue Lantern check will affect pending and future licenses involving parties to this license. ¶3. Reason for Request: The stated end-use for the thirty (30) .45 caliber pistols listed below is for retail sale to end-user, Mrs. Bunpluek Maprojong. It is unclear if the end-user is an arms dealer or a private gun owner. In addition, the import permit states that foreign consignee Phongs Firearms is importing the firearms on the end-user's behalf. More clarification on Thailand's firearms import policies is requested. ¶4. Action Request: The stated end-use of the thirty (30) pistols listed below is retail sale to end-user Bunpluek Maprojong. It is unclear if the pistols are for personal use by Bunpluek Maprojong or for further resale. Post is requested to determine the end-use of the pistols listed below and establish the bona fides of the parties involved in this transaction. Post is also requested to make inquiries to appropriate Thai officials to provide further information on the firearms import policies of Thailand. The following points are provided for guidance: (To Mrs. Bunpluek Maprojong) --Can you confirm the order of the firearms listed on this license application? Are you an authorized firearms retailer? Are these firearms being imported into Thailand for your personal use or for commercial resale? If for personal use, can you please explain why the quantity is so high? --What is your relationship with Phongs Firearms? What are the terms of the agreement between you and Phongs Firearms in this transaction? What role is Phongs Firearms playing in this transaction? --Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? (To Phongs Firearms) --What is your relationship with Mrs. Bunpluek Maprojong? What role is Phongs Firearms playing in this transaction? Why are you involved in the transaction if the import permit is issued to Mrs. Bunpluek Maprojong? --Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? (To Relevant Thai Import Authority) --Can you confirm that Mrs. Bunpluek Maprojong is authorized to import firearms into Thailand? Is she properly registered as a firearms retailer and/or private firearms owner in accordance with the law? --Can you confirm that Phongs Firearms is authorized to import firearms into Thailand? Is the company properly registered as a firearms retailer in accordance with the law? --Can you explain the procedure by which private companies and individuals import firearms into Thailand? What limitations on firearms imports exist, according to the laws and regulations of Thailand? Is there an annual limit to how many firearms a business or individual may import? Can one's import allowance be transferred to another business or individual? In this case, is it lawful for Phongs Firearms to import firearms using an import permit issued to Mrs. Bunpluek Maprojong? Please explain the regulations on this practice. In its reply, Post may also comment on any other information pertinent to these transactions such as security of facilities and concerns about the entities involved. ¶5. Details of license applications: DTC Case: 050145190 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 30 Kimber Pistols, .45ACP Caliber 30 Kimber Magazines License Value: USD $29,907 SELLER: Kimber MFG 1 Lawton Street Yonkers, NY 10705 FOREIGN CONSIGNEE: Phongs Firearms 2/4 Burapha Road, Wang Buraphabhirom, Pranakorn Bangkok 10200 Thailand Tel: 66(02)2218328 FOREIGN END-USER: Bunpluek Maprojong No. 330, Chochai-Detudom Road Buriram Province Thailand PURPOSE: For retail sale to Mrs. Bunpluek Maprojong within Thailand only. ¶6. Submitted in support of the license application were the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to Posts upon request): DSP-83 signed by Bunpluek Maprojong dated 01/15/2009, Thanaphol Bupparumnee (Phongs Firearms) dated 01/15/2009, and Donna Logan (Kimber) dated 02/09/2009 Import Permit No. 2/2551 signed by Thamnong Srimuang, Gun Registrar of Nangrong Province Purchase Order No. CKB-137/09 from Phongs Firearms signed by Thanaphol Bupparumnee dated 01/15/2009 ¶7. Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the case number in the subject line. POC is Kyle M. Ballard, Phone: 202-663-1929; Email: BallardKM@state.gov; SIPRNET: BallardKM@state.sgov.gov. The Blue Lantern Guidebook (ref) is available as a PDF file in the Bunche Library's E-Book Collection on the DOS Intranet: http://virtuallibrary.state.gov/ BlueLanternGuidebook2006%2520 final .pdf ¶8. Department is grateful for Post's assistance in this matter. CLINTON