Cablegate: Blue Lantern Post-Shipment End-Use Check On

VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #0166 0201029
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201029Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9629
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

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

© Scoop Media