VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #0801 0730950
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130950Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2243
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000801 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PM/DTCC FOR BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON 
LICENSE 05-050081972 
 
REF: STATE 13088 
 
¶1. (U) Post conducted a Blue Lantern check on Yothin Firearms 
in April 2007, and its bona fides were confirmed at that 
time.  POL FSN visited Yothin February 26 to inquire about 
Vanich Phanichkriangkrai and the reftel purchase.  Thitithon 
and Thanaphon Buppharamni, the shop's partners, confirmed the 
planned purchase of reftel weapons.  Yothin would import the 
items on behalf of Vanich, the original licensee, who owns a 
shop in Nakhon Nayok Province.  The transaction had received 
approval from the Nakhon Nayok District Registrar where 
Vanich and his business are located. 
 
¶2. (U) Thitithon and Thanaphon confirmed that they understand 
USML and ITAR regulations, particularly the prohibition for 
re-export or re-transfer of US-origin weapons.  This lot of 
guns would be on sale in Bangkok on behalf of Vanich to 
buyers who are licensed by the Ministry of Interior. 
Thitithon and Thanaphon presented copies of Import Permit No. 
3/2550 for Vanich with the import authorization to Yothin, 
dated 10/25/2007; and Yothin's Purchase Order No. CKB-117/07, 
dated 11/12/2007. 
 
¶3. (U) POL FSN visited the shop in Nakhon Nayok at the reftel 
address.  The business was located on a busy street.  The 
primary business was pet and agricultural supply sales with 
gun sales supplemental.  No guns were displayed at the shop, 
just gun accessories.  The shop was called Kasikon Phanit and 
was located in a two-story shop house with the second floor 
used as living quarters. 
 
¶4. (U) POL FSN spoke with Vanich and Supphachai 
Phanichkriangkrai.  They confirmed the planned purchase with 
Yothin Firearms acting on the shop's behalf.  Both confirmed 
that they clearly understood and followed 
USML and ITAR regulations.  All gun shops must be aware of 
these requirements. 
 
¶5. (U) According to Supphachai, most of the reftel guns would 
go on sale in Bangkok via Yothin.  Only a small number of 
guns would be delivered to the shop in Nakhon Nayok for 
customers those who had already reserved the guns.  Customers 
must possess a permit from the Ministry of Interior or a 
District Chief in order to purchase a gun.  Guns were stored 
in an old iron safe located in an unsecured area on the first 
floor in the rear of the shop. One security person guards the 
shop at night. 
 
¶6. (U) Supphachai presented copies of the same import permit 
as presented by Yothin.  He also showed the shop 
registration, No. 1298, Requesting No. 0 1298/2526, issued by 
the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Commerce Office, on July 1, 1983. 
 The registration was under the name of Vanich 
Phanichkriangkrai with the business name of Kasikon Phanit. 
The purpose of the business was to sell pet food, chemical 
fertilizer, weed killer chemical, agricultural equipment, 
guns, and ammunition.  The business was located at Khor 
2-016/15, Sena Phinit Rd., Nakhon Nayok Sub-District, Muang 
Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok.  An additional inquiry 
to Mr. Yutthana of Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration 
Organization's Registration Section, confirmed the 
registration and no derogatory information was found.  Deputy 
Muang Nakhon Nayok District Chief Sawoi Uaioun, who 
supervises the gun shops in Nakhon Nayok, confirmed Vanich's 
gun business and the import permit. 
 
¶7. (U) Vanich is listed in the telephone directory as: 
Name: Mr. Vanich Phanichkriangkra. 
Address: 116/54 Rang Nam Rd., Thanon Phaya Thai Sub-District, 
Rajathewi District, Bangkok, Thailand 10400.  Tel: 
02-538-2358, 02-246-4027. 
Vanich is a former member of parliament and Councilor to 
Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration Organization. 
Kasikon Phanit was listed in the directory. 
Address: Khor 2-016/15, Sena Phinit Rd., Nakhon Nayok 
Sub-District, Muang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok. 
Tel: 037-311-055. 
JOHN