Cablegate: Blue Lantern: Verifying Bona Fides of Suwit
VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBK #2987/01 3281037
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241037Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9080
INFO RUETIAA/DIRNSA FORT GEORGE G MEADE MD PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BANGKOK 002987
SIPDIS
FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF SUWIT
KHANDHAWIT, CASE NO. K-0144
REF: STATE 99602
1. (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce,
International Electronics & Defence Co., Ltd. was listed as
follows:
Registration No. 0105522008368
Registered Date: April 25, 1979
Status: Limited Partnership
Capital Registration: 2,000,000 baht
Partners: Suwit Khandhawit and Rojana Khandhawit
Company Location: 4 12/1, Soi Prachachuen 37 (Noppha Kao),
Prachachuen Rd., Bang Sue District, Bangkok
The company has submitted annual financial reports for
1999-2008.
This company was previously registered as the Italthai
Electronics & Yutthaphan Co., Ltd., and was renamed in April
11, 1991.
Purpose of Company: To conduct business in electrical
engineering, machinery, motoring engine, and their engineering
2. (U) The company was listed in the phone directory as
reftel. The house number indicated reftel is incorrect, the
correct house number, as indicated by the phone directory and
commercial registration, and site visit was 412/1. The
directory also showed that the company has another office at
94 Chinnawat Building, Soi Sukhumvit 23, Sukhumvit Rd.,
Khlong Toei Nua Sub-District, Watthana District, Bangkok,
Tel. 02 260 9735-6.
3. (U) We visited IED October 5 and met Suwit Khandhawit.
The company was located on a quiet housing estate with a home
and office. The house is protected by a high wall, an alarm
system, and CCTVs. No guard was present. This company was
under the Blue Lantern investigation once in December 2004.
- 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: This was confirmed by the Ministry of Commerce's
commercial registration. The location was confirmed by the
site visit and the commercial registration.
- Determine whether this entity is authorized to conduct such
activities in its home country.
Response: This was confirmed by the registration with the
Ministry of Commerce. The company is not required to
register with any other state agency else (such as Ministry
of Defense or Police Department).
- Whether the entity has any criminal or other derogatory
background.
Response: Suwit stated that the neither the company
executives nor the company has a criminal record. An the
internet search found no derogatory information.
- 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: Suwit said his company does not have any business
link or connection with the countries categorized above. His
company has business relationships with the U.S., the United
Kingdom, and Sweden.
- Will the brokering firm be handling or storing USML items
on behalf of its clients?
Response: The company does not handle or store the USML
items. It acts as a facilitator and coordinator between the
foreign manufacturers and potential Thai purchasers. When
the purchased products arrive at the port of entry, the
clients will do customs and port clearance.
- When was the company established and who are its
principals? How many employees?
Response: The company was established in April, 1979 with two
principals, Suwit and his wife, Rojana. The company has five
employees: Suwit as Managing-Director, an accountant, a
messenger, a driver, and a janitor.
- What is the nature of its business and What other types of
items does it handle?
Response: The company is a sales and marketing consultant on
defense articles for the Royal Thai Armed Forces. It is also
a sales representative of companies from the U.S. and the
U.K., namely, Lockheed Martin, Northrop & Grumman, ITT, BAE,
and Rolls-Royce. Suwit characterized the role of his company
as a liaison to bridge manufacturers and buyers. The defense
articles the company deals with are various types of the
sea-land-air military equipment, helicopters, electronic
warfare equipment, sonar systems, missile launch systems,
ship weapon systems, aircraft engines, and ships engines.
- What types of organizations are among its typical clients
and in What countries are they located?
Response: The company's clients include the Royal Thai Army,
the Royal Thai Navy, the Royal Thai Air Force, and the Royal
Thai Armed Forces Command. They are all government agencies
and located in Thailand. The company conducts business in
Thailand and does not have a business contact with the
clients in the foreign countries.
- Does the company understand the restrictions on USML items,
especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers
and re-exports?
Response: Yes, Suwit said he understands the restrictions
and, as a U.S. graduate, he said understood well the U.S.
legal and ethical system.
JOHN