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Suvarnabhumi » Airports of Thailand to make an initial 736 Million Baht for noise compensation

Sunday, July 20th, 2008


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The Airports of Thailand (AOT) board has agreed to help with compensation costs for householders exposed to harmful levels of aircraft noise from Suvarnabhumi airport, by making an initial payment of 736 million baht.

The decision was reached at a recent meeting of the AOT board which agreed to settle the bill, as initially recommended by the National Environment Board (NEB). However, it will ask the government to cover the larger part of compensation worth 121.5 billion baht, said board member and spokesman Chermsak Pinthong.

In 2005, the NEB estimated that an initial compensation package worth 736.07 million baht would be needed for people living close by the new Bangkok airport. However, cabinet last November approved a fresh study which said an additional 121.5 billion baht might be needed as more people would be affected by the noise problem once the airport reaches its full capacity of 76 flights per hour.

The affected people are divided into two groups, those exposed to noise levels of 60-70 decibels and those exposed to more than 70 decibels.

According to the NEB, the noise levels should not exceed 70 decibels on average over a 24-hour period.

There are 129 houses exposed to noise levels of above 70 decibels. The homeowners have been advised to relocate and their land will be expropriated by the government. So far the AOT has talked to 71 householders but were unable to settle on expropriation costs and compensation in most cases.

Those exposed to noise levels of 60-70 decibels have agreed to the AOT‘s noise pollution alleviation measures, including installation of noise insulation and regular checks on noise levels. The AoT has earmarked a 174.7-million-baht budget for the noise mitigation scheme. Schools, hospitals, and temples are among those that fall into this group.

Mr Chermsak said the AOT board would also set up a public complaints center for people wanting to notify it of noise pollution problems.

Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen said the AOT board was welcome to ask the government to pay for the rest of the compensation. However, the estimated 121.5 billion baht might not be the final figure as the finance minister would also have to consider the budget.

This part of the compensation would be paid to owners of property to the north and south of the Suvarnabhumi‘s runways.

According to the Airports of Thailand, the total area affected by noise pollution covers up to 144 square kilometres.


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