US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK7508

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 007508 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC -- BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR 
(TWATKINS) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC, KOMC, TH, BLUE LANTERN 
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON 
LICENSE 05-979109 
 
REF: SECSTATE 206518 
 
 1. Per reftel request, here are the results of Post's 
inquiries into the bona fides of Bangkok Helicopter Services 
Co., Ltd. and The General Aviation Co., Ltd. 
 
Company Profile per the Thai Department of Business 
Development, Ministry of Commerce: The Bangkok Helicopter 
Services Co. Ltd is filed under registration number 
1553/2538, dated 29 JUN 1995.  Capital registration was 
30,000,000 baht, the company executives are listed as Mr. 
Phongsak Witthayakon, Mr. Thawatwong Thanasumit, Mr. Witthaya 
Manawanitcharoen, Mr. Wanlop Athikhomprapha and Mr. 
Phuttihiphong Prasatthong-osot.  Address listed is 1111 
Phloenchit Road, Lumpini Sub-District, Pathumwan District, 
Bangkok.  Prior to June 23, 2005, the company was known as 
"The Thai Kuga Helicopter and Petroleum Service Co., Ltd. 
The company has filed annual financial reports for the years 
1999-2004 inclusive. 
 
Purpose of Company:  To provide and service instruments and 
equipment. 
 
Company Profile Per the Thai Department of Business 
Development, Ministry of Commerce, The General Aviation Co. 
Ltd is filed under registration number (2)1431/2539, dated 21 
MAR 1996.  Capital registration was 20,000,000 baht, the 
company executives are listed as Mr. Thongchai Lamsam, Mr. 
Sueptrakun Sunthontham, Lt. Suchin Phaholyothin (Royal Thai 
Navy), ADM Thawichai Liengphibun (RTN), COL Mom Luang 
Phongchumphunut Thongthaem, Mr. Prasoet Chusaeng, Mr. Chamnan 
Chotkhamwong.  Address listed is 102 Na Ranong Road, Khlong 
Toei Sub-District, Khlong Toei District, Bangkok.  The 
company has filed annual financial reports for the years 
1999-2004 inclusive. 
 
Purpose of Company:  To wholesale, retail sell airplanes and 
military equipment of all kinds. 
 
The Company also has a sister company, The General Aviation 
Development Col, Ltd. 
Registration No. (1) 151/2543, dated 10 FEB 2000.  Capital 
Registration 10,000,000 baht.  Company executives is COL Mom 
Luang Phongchumphunut Thongthaem.  Address is 102 Na Ranong 
Road, Khlong Toei Sub-District, Khlong Toei District, 
Bangkok.  The company changed its name from "The Asia Solar 
Co., Ltd." on March 25, 2005.  The company has filed annual 
financial reports for the years 2000-2004 inclusive. 
 
Purpose of Company:  To manufacture and sell solar 
cell-generating equipment. 
 
Neither Bangkok Helicopter Services, Co., Ltd nor General 
Aviation Co., Ltd. are listed in the phone Directory. 
 
POL FSN made an unannounced visit to the General Aviation 
Col, Ltd. -- the Foreign Consignee listed in reftel, on 
December 2, 2005 and was met by COL Mom Luang Phongchomphunut 
Thongthaem, President of the Company.  He said that the 
company is a subsidiary of the Loxley Public Company, Ltd. 
His business card listed The General Aviation Co., Ltd. as a 
Bell Helicopter Textron Representative.  COL Mom answered all 
questions posed in reftel: 
 
1  Can General Aviation confirm it placed an order for the 
helicopter mentioned in reftel? 
 
Yes.  The purchase of the Bell 430 and KRG-33 and QRS-11 
equipment was confirmed. 
 
2  How will this aircraft be used? 
 
It will be used as an Air Ambulance by the well-known 
hospital, Bangkok General, which is the actual owner/user. 
Bangkok Helicopter, Co., Ltd. will provide pilots, engineers, 
and maintenance.  The aircraft will be the first air 
ambulance in Thailand. 
 
3  Will it operate only in Thai airspace? 
 
Primarily yes.  However, if there is an official emergency 
request for medical airlift from a neighboring country and 
the RTG approves, it is possible the helicopter could fly 
into another country's airspace. 
 
4.  Does General Aviation have ties to the Thai military? 
 
General Aviation, while serving as Bell's representative in 
Thailand from November 2004-November 2005 provided spare 
parts, maintenance, and technical support to the Royal Thai 
Armed Forces. 
 
5.  Is there a specific need for the QRS-11 sensor to be 
included in the transfer? 
 
COL Phonchomphunut does not know about the technical 
specifications of the QRS-11.  He could not provide copies of 
a DSP 83 or contract No. 14484 described in reftel.  COL 
Phonchomphunut was also uncertain as to the exact location of 
Bangkok Helicopter, claiming to have been contacted by Mr. 
Thawatwong Thanasumit directly and meeting him in his own 
office. 
 
POL FSN made an unannounced visit to the address listed for 
Bangkok Helicopters later that day and was told by a 
secretary that Mr. Thawatwong was abroad on business.  The 
 
SIPDIS 
secretary said that Mr. Thawatwong is the Senior Vice 
 
SIPDIS 
President for Bangkok Helicopter.  The secretary suggested 
FSN visit a nearby office complex, the UM Building, to see 
Bangkok Helicopter's headquarters. No one at that location 
had ever heard of Bangkok Helicopter. 
On December 6, POL FSN spoke to Mr. Thawatwong by phone 
(66-2-265-5910 as stated in reftel).  Mr. Thawatwong refused 
to meet POL FSN, claiming his schedule was too tight.  He was 
not cooperative in answering questions saying that inquiries 
should be directed at the seller, Bell Helicopters.  He was 
unwilling to provide any written answers or documentation 
clarifying the queries outlined in reftel.  His verbal 
replies to reftel questions are: 
 
1.  Can Bangkok Helicopter confirm it placed an order for 
this helicopter? 
 
Yes.  According to Thawatwong, a contract has been signed. 
 
2.  How will the aircraft be used? 
 
It will be used by Bangkok General Hospital but operated by 
Bangkok Helicopter. 
 
3.  Will it operate only within Thai airspace? 
 
Yes, it does not have a range to leave Thailand.  If there is 
a request for medical assistance outside Thailand, the Royal 
Thai Armed Forces generally responds. 
 
4.  Does Bangkok Helicopter have ties to the Thai military? 
 
No. 
 
5.  Is there a specific need for the QRS-11 sensor to be 
included in the transfer. 
 
Mr. Thawatwong does not know what the sensor does.  He said 
that the seller, Bell, proposed its sale and he agreed to 
purchase it. 
BOYCE