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DE RUEHBK #2990/01 3281041
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241041Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9084
INFO RUETIAA/DIRNSA FORT GEORGE G MEADE MD PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

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