VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #0802/01 0730955
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130955Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2244
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000802 
 
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 05-050081688 
 
REF: STATE 13087 
 
¶1. (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Aumnaj 
Firearms was registered as follows: 
 
Registration No. 0103513014952 
Registered Date: August 25, 1970 
Status: Limited Partnership 
Name: Aumnaj Firearms Ltd, Part. 
Capital Registration: 2,000,000 baht 
Business partners: Wichien Suphap, with an investment of 
1,300,000 baht; Phinit Suphap, with an investment of 400,000 
baht; Ratchani Phienphithak, with an investment of 100,000 
baht; Winit Suphap, with an investment of 100,000 baht; and 
Nitthida Suphap, with an investment of 100,000 baht. 
Manager: Wichien Suphap, without limitation of authority. 
Location: 66 Unakan Road, Wang Burapha Phirom Sub-District, 
Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. 
The business has submitted annual financial reports during 
1999-2006. 
Purpose of Company: Wholesale and retail sale of guns and 
ammunition. 
 
¶2. (U) Aumnaj Firearms Ltd., Part. was listed in the 
directory under the same address and telephone number as 
stated in reftel and in the commercial registration. 
 
¶3. (U) POL FSN made an unannounced visit to the company at 
the address listed reftel.  The business was in a three-story 
concrete shop house in the Bangkok's gun-selling business 
area.  The first floor was open for selling guns and the 
upper floors were for gun storage.  Several staff were in the 
shop.  POL FSN met Winit Suphap who said that reftel guns 
were ordered by Aumnaj on behalf of the Meekhun Firearms Ltd, 
Part., the original licensee, who had authorized Aumnaj to do 
so, as approved by Pricha Chotthawiwat, registrar for Dan 
Chang District, Suphanburi Province, where Meekhun is 
located.  Winit presented copies of Aumnaj's Purchase Order 
00982/2550, dated 12/17/2007; and Import Permit License 
3/2550, dated 11/26/2007, by Dan Chang District Chief. 
 
¶4. (U) Additional questions per reftel: 
 
How long has your company been in the business of importing 
and selling defense articles in Thailand? 
 
Answer: Aumnaj has been in this business since 1970. It is a 
family-run business. 
 
What services and products are sold by your company? 
 
Answer:  Import and sale of guns.  Most guns sold are from 
the U.S., Czech Republic, Italy, and Germany.  The shop does 
not sell ammunition to the general public but stocks 
ammunition to sell to gun customers.  The shop does not fix 
guns or sell gun accessories. 
 
Who are your regular customers?  Where do they reside? 
 
Answer: The general public and law enforcement personnel who 
reside throughout Thailand.  Civil servants in Bangkok are 
allowed to buy guns via the Ministry of Interior's (MOI) 
Department of Provincial Administration and civil servants 
residing outside Bangkok are allowed to buy through the 
Ministry of Interior's District Office.  Buyers must be Thai 
citizens.  A non-Thai cannot purchase a gun unless granted a 
permit by the MOI.  The shop keeps records of each gun and 
customer, as required by Thai law. 
 
Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of 
US-origin defense articles, including restrictions on 
re-transfer or re-export? 
 
Answer: Yes, this is required by Thai law. 
 
¶6. (U) According to the Ministry of Commerce, Meekhun 
Firearms Ltd., Part. was registered as follows: 
 
Registration No. 0723536000154 
Registered Date: April 21, 1993 
Status: Limited Partnership 
Name: Meekhun Firearms Ltd, Part. 
Capital Registration: 200,000 baht 
Business Partners: Wiphawi Wanwichit, with an investment of 
50,000 baht; Phawini Wanwichit, with an investment of 50,000 
baht; Kunthida Wanwichit, with an investment of 50,000 baht; 
and Chutima Wanwichit, with an investment of 50,000 baht; 
Managers: Phawini Wanwichit and Chutima Wanwichit, with no 
limitation of authority. 
 
Location: 501 - 502 Mu 5, Tambon Nong Makhamong, Amphoe Dan 
Chang, Suphanburi. 
The business has submitted its annual financial reports of 
Year 1999-2006. 
Purpose of Company: Wholesale and retail sale of guns and 
ammunition. 
JOHN