BLUE LANTERN POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000166 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH HK SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050177954 REF: STATE 124880 ¶1. (U) We visited the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering (DAE) of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) January 12. Group Captain Wirisak, the Director of the DAE's Air Supply Division, and his staff led the inspection. Wirisak confirmed the purchase and receipt of 375 aircraft batteries and confirmed their end use purpose as stated in the license application. Wirisak also confirmed the purchase was made through Hong Kong-based Topcast Aviation Supplies Company (Topcast) with Thongdee International Company, Ltd. acting as a liaison. A Thongdee staff member happened to be at DAE during our inspection and also confirmed that all 375 units have been delivered to DAE. ¶2. (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Thongdee International Company, Ltd. was listed as follows: Registration No. 0105539102770 Registered Date: September 16, 1996 Status: Company Limited Capital Registration: 1,000,000 baht Partners: Yim Thongdee and Panatda Chiamthamchinda Company Location: 125, Ranong 1 Rd., Thanon Nakhon Chaisi Sub-District, Dusit District, Bangkok The company has submitted annual financial reports for 1999-2008. Purpose of Company: To import-export and wholesale electrical equipment ¶2. (U) During our physical inspection, it was found that the listed batteries were stored with other batteries of a similar kind. After an examination of the stock-controlled documents and a random physical check of some of the batteries, 374 of the purchased batteries were accounted for. One battery (Marathon P/N 30030-001, I/W 14-60915-3, NSN 6140-01-096-4272) was found to be missing. DAE was unable to provide a reason for the missing item but post does not believe it should be cause for concern. ¶3. (U) A few minor discrepancies were noted in the stock-controlled documents. The NSN listed in reftel for fifty Marathon batteries (6140-01-040-458-4863) was different from that listed in DAE's inventory (6140-01-040-4408). Also, reftel notes that two end user statements (No. 1/2551p and 2/2551p) were signed February 22, 2009, while DAE's records indicate a date of February 27, 2009. Post does not find these discrepancies to be a cause for concern considering 374 of the 375 batteries were accounted for in possession of RTAF/DAE. JOHN