Chatchart to listen to noise at Suvarnabhumi
In a bid to better understand the complaints about excessive noise from neighbours of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan says he's planning to spend at least six hours in the area and perhaps even sleep overnight there.
“I want to know the airport’s actual impact before deciding on compensation for the affected people,” said Chatchart, who took over the Transport Ministry in October.
Chatchart plans to review the compensation policy for people affected by the airport’s noise.
Several residents in the airport’s neighbourhood have lodged petitions asking that authorities stick to the guidelines laid down in 2006, when a Cabinet resolution approved the purchases of residential buildings affected by the noise pollution in the NEF30-40 zone.
However, a Cabinet resolution in 2007 allows for only improvements to minimise the noise impact on buildings in the zone.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) now follows the 2007 resolution.
According to AOT acting president Somchai Sawasdeepon, more than 80 per cent of the affected residents have already been compensated. The total amount paid is nearly Bt3.89 billion.
With plans for a third runway at Suvarnabhumi, AOT believes it will likely have to pay Bt7 billion more in compensation to the people affected.
“I will ensure fairness to all sides,” Chatchart said.
