Aircraft Noise

AIRCRAFT NOISE

For many living around airports, noise is the most evident environmental impact of aviation. This briefing examines the sources of noise from airports, the effects of noise on people and the implications of the Government’s forecasts for the growth in aviation. Potential technical and policy options to reduce aircraft noise are outlined. A more detailed POST report is also available covering this and other environmental issues associated with aviation.¹

Key points:

· current aircraft noise can affect the quality of life of half a million people living close to UK airports

· increases in air traffic could outstrip technological progress in making individual flights quieter and so worsen the noise climate around many of the UK’s airports over the next 30 years

· as a result, more people could be affected by sleep disturbance, annoyance and possible health effects

· aircraft noise could constrain airport expansion unless substantial noise reductions are made.

The growth of aviation

The Government has forecast that aviation is likely to grow over the next 30 years at an average rate of 4.25% per year. ² These forecasts are based on unconstrained growth – i.e. that airport and airline capacity is provided to meet all demand. The Department for Transport (DfT) points out that previous mid-range forecasts underestimated demand, with actual demand either following, or even exceeding the ‘high’ forecast growth curve; particularly for forecasts made before the emergence of the low-cost airlines in the late 1990s. ³

To meet the maximum forecast demand for flights, additional airport capacity would be required equivalent to that which can be handled through five new runways – with three of these located in SE England. Spare capacity exists at some airports (particularly at Stansted and Luton at off-peak times) and so some of the forecast growth could be met without the need for additional infrastructure. However, on current policies, spare capacity is likely to be exhausted by 2015, so unless demand were managed or congestion tolerated, meeting the forecast growth to 2030 would require new capacity.

Aircraft noise

Sources

Aircraft landing and taking off are the chief sources of aviation noise. Individual aircraft have become quieter over the past 30 years, but flight frequencies have increased. As a result, aircraft noise is giving rise to increasing community concern. In particular, landing noise is increasing in importance, and has become the dominant reason for complaints at some airports. In addition, those living close to very large airports may experience ‘ground noise’ from sources on the airport such as taxiing aircraft, aircraft engine tests, generators or airside vehicular traffic. Transport links to an airport, particularly private vehicles and trains, can also make a significant contribution to noise around airports.

The box on the next page outlines how aircraft noise is measured. In essence, the DfT estimates current and future impacts of aircraft noise by determining the area exposed to average sound levels of 57dB(A) or more between 7am and 11pm. This measure was chosen as an indicator of the onset of what the government describes as ‘community annoyance’ in the daytime, following a study in 1985 which showed a good correlation of this figure with annoyance. However, it is apparent that the mix and types of aircraft, their frequency of overflight, the social and economic circumstances of affected people and general levels of environmental awareness and sensitivity have changed since the early 1980s. The Government has therefore commissioned a three year study to provide a firmer basis for the relationship between aircraft noise and annoyance. The first results from this new study should be available towards the end of 2004.

postnote June 2003 Number 197 Aircraft noise Page 2

Measuring sound and noise

Environmental noise is measured with reference to the A-weighted decibel scale, dB(A). This reflects the fact that the human ear does not detect all frequencies of sound equally efficiently. To quantify sound levels which vary with time equivalent continuous sound level or Leq is calculated. This indicates the average sound level over a particular time period. For example, an Leq, 24h of 57dB(A) indicates that the sound energy produced by the noise source is equivalent to a constant sound of 57dB(A) over 24 hours. Other measures of noise are also available, that relate to different measurement periods, such as the instantaneous maximum noise level (Lmax), or the average over certain periods, such as evening or night (Lden).

Aircraft noise at airports

The Government considers noise to have the potential for the onset of significant community annoyance above a level of 57dB(A) Leq, but recognises that some people are annoyed at lower levels. Contours of noise from airports are drawn, showing the area exposed to average sound levels of 57dB(A) Leq or more between 7am and 11pm. Contour areas are then compared with population data to determine the number of residents within that contour. Contours are calculated by summing and averaging the noise from arriving and departing aircraft. For example, at Heathrow in 2002, nearly 130 km² of land from Fulham to Windsor was within the 57dB(A) Leq contour. Calculations of future noise exposure must also take account of the known or planned flight paths to and from the airport and (since different types of aircraft make different amounts of noise) the known or estimated fleet mix at that airport.

Effects

The Government acknowledges that noise can be “one of the most objectionable impacts of airport development.”⁴ Aircraft noise can affect concentration or sleep and result in feelings of anger, frustration and powerlessness to control the noise. These factors can thus adversely affect people’s quality of life. However, while many express concerns over aircraft noise, there remain considerable uncertainties over the precise nature of its impacts. The box opposite outlines the key effects of aircraft noise. Overall, much of the research in this area is either contradictory or inconclusive and many, including the World Health Organisation have called for considerably more research. Evidence to date suggests that most people exposed to aircraft noise are not adversely affected, but more vulnerable groups may be at increased risk; particularly those with pre-existing sleep problems, stress or mental health problems.

Aircraft noise already has the potential to affect the quality of life of at least half a million people in the UK – with 80% of these living close to major airports in the southeast of England. The figure opposite shows the extent of noise pollution around five major airports in the UK under DfT’s growth forecasts.⁵ For each situation, under worst-case scenarios, more people are likely to be exposed. Under the central scenarios, increases will be expected at Manchester, Birmingham and Stansted. Reductions at Heathrow and Gatwick would result from technological improvements alongside severely constrained growth.

The effects of aircraft noise Annoyance

Noise can lead to people feeling stressed and angry. It may interfere with conversations and leisure activities in the home, disrupt activities requiring concentration, and discourage people from using outdoor spaces. Further factors may affect whether noise is viewed as ‘annoying’: • occurrence of exposure – noise may be more annoying if it occurs often, even if each noise event is quieter

· fear of accidents – concerns about air crashes may increase some people’s sensitivity to aircraft noise

· fear of the future – especially about future growth in air travel and potential increases in the frequency of flights

· lack of control – inability to alter or escape from the noise source may make it more annoying. ⁶

The subjective responses to aircraft noise makes it difficult to quantify the relationship between noise and annoyance. However, noise levels below 50dB(A) Leq are unlikely to cause community annoyance while levels of 55dB(A) Leq may severely annoy some people. In the UK, the DfT uses a level of 57dB(A) Leq as an indicator of the onset of community annoyance in daytime. Nevertheless, there are likely to be people exposed to more than 57dB(A) Leq who will not be affected, and also those exposed to lower levels who will be affected. The location of the 57dB(A) contour is therefore not a precise guide (see the box on the next page).

Sleep disturbance

Interference with sleep patterns is frequently reported by those living near airports operating night flights. A recent study of residents in high noise areas close to Heathrow, Gatwick, East Midlands and Coventry airports found between 1 in 5 and 1 in 10 people often reporting difficulty getting to sleep or being woken early . The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the UK Government’s procedure for decision-making about night flights was flawed, and that this flaw amounted to a “violation of the respect for private and family life and the home” under the European Convention on Human Rights. This judgement did not state that night flights themselves were a violation of human rights. The Government is appealing the decision. In the meantime, night flights continue as before, but if the judgement is upheld, the Government would need to review the regulation and operation of night flights.

Failed Promises – Frustration and Lashing Out

We have to pity and sympathise with the residents living around Survanabhumi Airport. They have put up with the non stop noises from the aircraft everyday, every hour, every minute, every second. They also dream of worst times when the new runways open. And before it opens, it is going to be more. More of everything. More aircraft landings and takeoffs as the airport accommodates more passenger traffic ; at the same time building even more facilities for more expansion.

The cabinet resolution last year to purchase and repair damaged houses were just lip service. They made their promises. We have to force them to keep their promises. They were keep on changing their standards. They will again and again form new committees, new panels to look into problems.

At Thanacity, we have lived with failed promises. The management too have promised Blue skies. Good maintenance. Gardens and landscape. We were led wide eyed . We are now living in a failed estate. They have spend a sum of money plant trees along the fringe of the main road to block out the unsightly vacant pieces of land . We question why they are doing this? Is this for their own interest? Have Tanayong started to contact AOT to negotiate to sell off their lands and houses to AOT ? They owned the golf club and the surrounding land and probably they are among one of the biggest single landowner around the airport that AOT must negotiate with. Are the rest of the house owners at Thanacity aware of this? Tanayong is a big company and probably they can reach the very top management of AOT and get the latest information ? Have Tanayong as the real estate developer who sold us the condos/houses/land printed a newsletter informing us of the latest happening in the estate ? The accounts for the maintenance of the estate after collecting their maintenance fees from us ? Did they ever ask the residents to get together to form a committee to look into the maintenance of the estate ? Did they ask the residents to get together and advise them to work as a group to get compensation from AOT?

Do not be Deceived. The vacant land behind these rows of trees are unkept. Unsightly. Breeding grounds for Mosquitoes and other insects. Do not forget that the Thailand Health Authorities had put up Big Signboards around the estate to warn the residents to be careful of Malaria and Dengue Fever. What happened to these signboards? Does anybody know the numbers of residents who have caught malaria or dengue fever while living in this estate. I know of 2 persons who had dengue figure from mosquito bites. Figure this out for yourself.

We seem to be getting failed promises from the management of Tanayong and now to AOT. What happens when the residents around the airport starts to release balloons into the air. Daytime or at Nighttime. We will then have a lot of policemen being deployed around Survanabhumi Airport vicinity observing and ready to catch any of these residents with balloons in the hand. It is a big waste of manpower. Operating at day and night shift, I reckon in order to stop the release of these balloons, we need to have a deployment of at least 1000 policemen.They need to wear Night Vision Googles. Wait till they sell black colored balloons. ………… When these policemen should be out enforcing law and order, catching corrupt government officials and politicians, they are now catching young kids and mums and pops holding balloons.

Then what happens if they catch young children as young as 1 – 2years old releasing balloons into the air. Are the police going to put these children in jail ?

We may need a new law to be immediately passed in Parliament. Balloons to be taken as a dangerous weapon. Anyone caught carrying a balloon in his or her possession will be fined and jailed. Babies and toddlers ,no exception. Notice how the AOT personnel have gone suddenly from one department store to the next to buy up all the balloons. Its too early for Christmas and New Year. Those chaps importing balloons are sure to make huge profits. Whatever imported will be bought up. And they may be giving it free to departing tourists from the Survanubhumi Airport. With compliments from AOT.

What will be next? Kites? “ No kite flying. Anyone flying Kites will be fined and Jailed “. Birds ? What happens if all the residents suddenly decides to feed the wild birds and also to rear one or two pigeons each at their estates?

What we should do is to get the AOT members and the various committees on the various panels looking into the noise problems to move themselves and their families and stay next to the airport for 3 months and then they will fully appreciate the problems that we have to deal with.

Failed promises may lead to drastic measures by the residents. It is not only a danger to the planes but also a danger to the various residents staying around the airport. We do not want that to happen. The better way out is to negotiate with the residents staying around the airport. And Please, Keep Your Promises. Please post your comments to the writer.

Sleepy residents fight new airport

Affected by aircraft noise around Suvarnabhumi airport, residents in the area demand a public debate with the Airports of Thailand (AOT) before Friday, or they will release balloons to disrupt air traffic.

The protesters, led by Wanchart Manadhammasombat, claimed the AOT did not honour resolutions they say it had agreed and accused the agency of insincerity and inaction in dealing with the problem, raising anger among the residents.

The disgruntled inhabitants said a debate between residents and AOT executives would prove whether the AOT was serious about solving the problem.

They urged the AOT to honour a November 21 Cabinet resolution to purchases houses in excessively-noisy zone and repair damaged houses.

A new resolution, on May 29, allowed the airport authorities to revise the "excessive-noise radius" replacing an old one drawn by the Pollution Control Department.

Based on the revised AOT noise pollution radius, nearly 40 per cent of the residents have been excluded from the mitigation scheme, and AOT revised its composition payment despite previously agreed compensation.

Chaisawad Kittipornpaiboon, Permanent Secretary for Transport, announced that the Pollution Control Department would re-survey noise pollution in the area and the ministry would ask the AOT to revise any agreements deemed unfair as well as to reconsider the residents’ demands.

All the issues will be considered at the AOT meeting this Thursday.

Meanwhile , aviation agencies warned residents that launching balloons to disrupt air traffic at Suvarnabhumi airport can cause aircraft to crash, and persons releasing balloons could be charged with acting against national security.

Prasong Theanthanoo, Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Department, reemphasised the gravity of the action.

If any problem occurs to the aircraft, he said, the department will have to stop air service to prevent untoward incidents that could harm the country’s image.

Mr. Prasong urged residents to take the negative impact into consider although their disturbance may not be against the law, but if action poses a threat to public safety, punishment can be handed down.

Anucha Kammong, an official of the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, said officials would keep an eye on any abnormal phenomenon, such as balloons released into the sky, and keep pilots informed.

After negotiations with the AOT have failed, residents say they no longer have patience as they have suffered from aircraft noise for nearly a year.

Friday's threathened balloon barrage intended to impede air traffic will take place at night, the residents say. (TNA)

Learning from Others – People who face similar problems on airports being built next to them

Hi Residents of Thanacity and Visitors to this Forum Website

We as residents need help badly. We can only do that much. Information is very Powerful. There is a lot of materials available out there from many parts of the worlds where the airport authorities have built their airports next to the living communities. These residents have built action groups and they are now linked to many communities in the world who faced the same problem. Many of them have achieved monetary compensation. Some are starting to receive compensation. We also must learn the mistakes and the tricks that the Airport authorities can play on the residents living next to this community. We can learn much from them instead of starting from Ground Zero. Or Meaning starting from Zero. We can read through their newsletters which they have posted on their websites. Initially, they were like us. They have no one to turn to. No one to help them. But they got together and formed their action groups. We can be stronger to negotiate as a group rather than negotiating singly as individuals. We must act together.

Many of these residents lived in the more civilized countries where the government will listen to their complaints. The government cannot be so unreasonable. Similarly, the Thai government need our votes. AOT is a business organization. Before they started the project, they should carry out an Environmental Impact Study. They should also have appointed various committees to look into possible problems. All these information are available to them. AOT is a money making organization. They cannot just want to make money themselves and make others suffer. We are suffering from noise pollution. Mental problems. Hearing Problems. Breathing Problems. Health Problems. Financial problems. All of these are created by aircraft noises and unhealthy living around the airport which have sprung up amongst us. And it is going to be worse when more runways are built.

We should learn from these Action Groups. Some of the residents who have more leisure perhaps can trawl these websites link and highlight in this forum their comments.

BANG - Birmingham Airport Anti Noise Group : http://www.bhamantinoise.org.uk/

ทอท.หัวหมอเนรมิตเส้นแนวเสียงใหม่ +ลดขนาดพื้นที่รับผลกระทบลง/อ้างมติครม.29พ.ค.50หวังลดจ่ายชดเชย/ชาวบ้านโวยหลุดโผกว่าครึ่ง

ชาวบ้านเยื่อพิษเสียงสุวรรณภูมิ 60 ชุมชนสุดช้ำ หลุดโผค่าชดเชยกว่า 50% เหลือไม่ถึง 30 ชุมชนหลังทอท.หัวหมอฉีกทิ้งแนวเส้นเสียงเก่าทิ้ง –ขีดเส้นเสียงใหม่ บีบพื้นที่ให้แคบลง ด้านละ 12 กิโลเมตร อ้างเหตุยึดมติครม.ขิงแก่ล่าสุด 29พ.ค.50ที่ระบุค่าชดเชย 1.2 แสนล้านสูงเกินจริงต้องสำรวจใหม่ ด้านชาวบ้านโวย 3,000-4,000 หลังได้ค่าชดเชยแค่ 1,000 หลัง เตรียมยื่นหนังสือ คมนาคม –บิ๊กแอ้ด ยึดมติครม.เก่า 21 พ.ย.49 ลั่นปิดสนามบินประท้วงอีกรอบแน่

ปัญหาความขัดแย้งระหว่างชาวบ้าน และ บริษัทการท่าอากาศยานไทย จำกัด (มหาชน) หรือ ทอท. เกี่ยวกับการจ่ายชดเชยให้กับผู้ที่ได้รับผลกระทบทางเสียงจากการขึ้น-ลง เครื่องบิน โดยรอบสนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ กระทั้ง มีการเดินขบวนประท้วงจน รัฐบาลชุดพลเอกสุรยุทธ จุลานนท์ ต้องสั่งให้ ทอท. ช่วยเหลือชาวบ้านที่อยู่โซนเสียงดังรุนแรงก่อน ขณะเดียวกัน ได้มีมติครม. ทบทวน ขนาดพื้นที่และ วงเงินชดเชยที่สูงถึง 120,000ล้านบาทใหม่ นั้น

ล่าสุด แหล่งข่าวจากบริษัทท่าอากาศยานไทย จำกัด (มหาชน) หรือ ทอท. เปิดเผยกับ "ฐานเศรษฐกิจ" ว่า ขณะนี้ ทอท.ได้ประกาศแนวเส้นเสียงจากการขึ้น-ลง เครื่องบินรอบสนามบินสุวรรณภูมิใหม่ โดยยึดมติคณะรัฐมตรี (ครม.) ชุดพลเอกสุรยุทธ จุลานนท์ วันที่ 29 พฤษภาคม 2550 ที่ผ่านมา เพื่อใช้เป็นเกณฑ์ในการชดเชยสำหรับผู้ที่ได้รับผลกระทบทางเสียงจริงนับจาก วันที่เปิดใช้สนามบินเมื่อวันที่ 28กันยายน 2549 จนถึงปัจจุบัน ที่ใช้เพียง 2 ทางวิ่ง และ มีสัดส่วน 80 ต่อ 20 %

ทั้งนี้ แนวเส้นเสียงใหม่นี้จะ แตกต่างจากแนวเส้นเสียงเก่า ตามมติครม.เมื่อวันที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน 2549 เนื่องจาก กรมควบคุมมลพิษ ได้คำนวณพื้นที่ตามเที่ยวบินเต็มพื้นที่ 100 % ในอนาคตจำนวน 4 ทางวิ่ง(รันเวย์) ทำให้พื้นที่ที่อยู่ในข่ายได้รับผลกระทบและได้ค่าชดเชยเพิ่มมากขึ้น ทั้งที่ปัจจุบันยังไม่มีปัญหาทางเสียงเกิดขึ้นทำให้มีปริมาณบ้านและวงเงินที่สูงถึง 120,000 ล้านบาท และมี อาคารบ้านเรื่อนที่ต้องชดเชยทั้งรับซื้อคืนและปรับปรุงซ่อมแซม เกือบ30,000 หลังคาเรือน

แหล่งข่าวกล่าวต่อว่า ที่ผ่านมา ทอท. ได้ลงพื้นที่ สำรวจ พื้นที่และบ้านเรือนประชาชน ว่ามีกี่หลังคาเรือน อยู่ในโซนระดับเสียงเท่าไหร่ ระหว่าง NEF 30-NEF เกิน กว่า 40 โดยตั้งเครื่องวัดระดับเสียง ใหม่ แล้วจึงทำแผนผังแนวเส้นเสียงขึ้นใหม่ให้ตรงกับข้อเท็จจริงในปัจจุบันมากที่สุด ตามมติครม. ใหม่ดังกล่าว

ทั้งนี้เกรงว่าจะมี ผู้ที่ ไม่เดือดร้อนจริงสวมรอยรับค่าชดเชยดังกล่าวและไม่เป็นธรรมสำหรับรัฐบาล สำหรับค่าชดเชยนั้น ขณะนี้อยู่ระหว่างว่าจ้างบริษัทประเมิน เพื่อประเมิน ที่ดินและสิ่งปลูกสร้าง ซึ่งเป็นล็อตที่2 ที่ได้รับผลกระทบทางเสียง โดย ทอท.จะแยกออกเป็นสองส่วนได้แก่ โซนที่ต้องซื้อคืน จะอยู่ในบริเวณNEF เกินกว่า 40 และ ที่จะต้องปรับปรุงซ่อมแซมจะต้องเป็นระดับความดังของเสียง ลดหลั่นลงไป ถึงNEF 30 ซึ่งขณะนี้ ได้แจ้งให้กับชาวบ้านทราบแล้ว อาทิ ฝั่งถนนบางนา-ตราด ได้แก่ บริเวณหมู่บ้านกรีนเลค หมู่บ้านกฤษณา บริเวณหมู่ 1 และหมู่ที่ 10 ตำบลราชาเทวะ คอนโดมิเนียม นูเวล คอนโดมิเนียมเพลสทีจ หมู่บ้านธนาซิตี้ คอนโดมิเนียมธนาเพลส ฝั่งมอร์เตอร์เวย์ หมู่บ้จุลมาศวิลล่า ชุมชนหลังหมู่บ้านเคหะนคร 2 หมู่บ้านเคหะนคร 2 ชุมชนชอยกำนัลแต๋ว หมู่บ้านลาดกระบังการ์เด้นท์ท ชุมชนมิตรปลูกศรัทธา หมู่บ้านมณสินี ชุมชนประชาร่วมใจ ชุมชนร่วมใจพัมนา หมู่บ้านศิลาภิรัตน์ เป็นต้น

ขณะที่ แหล่งข่าวจากกรมควบคุมมลพิษ กล่าวว่า ยอมรับ ว่าทอท. ได้ ส่งเรื่องให้คพ. กำหนดแนวเสียงใหม่ ตามขนาดเที่ยวบิน 2 ทางวิ่ง สัดส่วน 80:20 % ตามสภาพการใช้งานจริงในปัจจุบัน ตามมติครม. วันที่ 29 พฤษภาคม 2550 ดังนั้น ทำให้ พื้นที่แนวเส้นเสียงใหม่ มีขนาดสัดส่วนเล็กและแคบลงไปมาก เมื่อเที่ยบกับ แนวเส้นเสียง เดิม ที่คพ. ได้ กำหนดไปแล้วตามมติครม. 21 พฤศจิกายน 2549 ที่มีขนาด 100 กว่าตารางกิโลเมตร โดยความกว้าง 4 กิโลเมตร และความยาว วัดจากตัวสนามบิน ไปทางทิศใต้ เลยถนนเทพารักษ์ออกไป 10 กิโลเมตร และ ทางเหนือสนามบิน วัดขึ้นไปอีก 10 กิโลเมตร ไปบรรจบถนนสุวิทวงศ์

จากการกำหนดแนวเส้นเสียงใหม่ โดยอ้างตามมติ ครม. ใหม่ดังกล่าว ส่งผลให้ บ้านเรือนประชาชนที่ได้รับผลกระทบและอยู่ในแนวเส้นเสียงเดิม ไม่อยู่ในข่ายที่ได้รับค่าชดเชย จำนวนมาก และขณะนี้มีการร้องเรียนให้ทอท.รับผิดชอบและให้ยึดตามแนวเส้นเสียง เดิมและมติครม. วันที่ 21พฤศจิกายน 2549 เนื่องจากมองว่าไม่เป็นธรรม

ด้านนาย สุรเดช เบญจาทิกุล ประธานกรรมการหมู่บ้านร่มฤดี กล่าวว่า ชาวบ้านจำนวนมากที่ได้รับผลกระทบทางเสียง โดยเฉพาะที่เป็นหมู่บ้านจัดสรร รวมคันค้านและจะยื่นหนังสือ ต่อ พลเอกสุรยุทธ จุลานนท์ นายกรัฐมนตรี กระทรวงคมนาคมและ ทอท. ให้ยืนตามมติ ครม. เมื่อวันที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน 2549 แทน มติครม. ใหม่ 29 พฤษภาคม 2550 เนื่องจาก มองว่า ทอท.กำลังฉวยโอกาส เลี่ยงจ่ายค่าชดเชยให้กับชาวบ้านและ ถือโอกาสลงสำรวจใหม่ ให้มีจำนวนบ้านที่ได้รับผลกระทบน้อยลง ซึ่งเกณฑ์มาตรฐานที่ได้ มองว่าไม่เป็นธรรม และไม่มั่นใจว่า จะ เป็นไปตามข้อเท็จจริงหรือไม่

สำหรับ แผนที่แนวเส้นเสียงใหม่ พบว่า มีขนาด สั่นและแคบลง จากแนวเดิม คือ ส่วนหัว-ท้าย จะลดลง 2-3 กิโลเมตร และ ส่วนความกว้าง จะแคบลง ข้างละ 1กิโลเมตร ทำให้มีชาวบ้านหลุดโผไปจาก เดิม กว่า 50 % จากเดิมมีผุ้ได้รับผลกระทบ เกือบ30,000 หลังคาเรือน 60 หว่าชุมชน ขณะนี้เหลือไม่เกิน30ชุมชน มีผู้ที่ได้รับ ผลกระทบ ทางเสียงระดับ NEF เกินกว่า 40 จำนวน 800 หลังคาเรือน ขณะนี้เหลือเพียง 382 หลังคาเรือน เฉพาะ หมู่บ้านจัดสรร เดิมที่ได้รับผลกระทบ NEF30- เกิน 40 จำนวน 3,000-4,000 หลังคาเรือน จาก เกือบ 30,000 หลังคาเรือน ขณะนี้เหลือแค่ 1,000 หลังคาเรือนเท่านั้น โดยเฉพาะด้านเหนือ สนามบินจะมีหมู่บ้านจัดสรรเกิดขึ้นมาก ซึ่ง มี 20 กว่า หมู่บ้าน ปรากฏว่าแนวใหม่ออกมาเหลือเพียง 12 หมู่บ้านเท่านั้น อย่างไรก็ดี ก่อนหน้านี้ เดิม แนวเส้นเสียเก่า บริเวณด้านใต้สนามบิน จะผ่านถนนเทพารักษ์ไป ส่วนแนวใหม่ จะไม่ถึง ถนนเทพทรักษ์ และ แนวด้านเหนือสนามบิน ไม่ถึง ถนนสุวินทวงศ์จากแนวเดิม อยุ่ที่ถนนสุวินทวงศ์ ที่จะได้ค่าชดเชย ซึ่งมองว่าการกระทำลักษณะนี้เพื่อต้องการลดค่าชดเชยอย่างแน่นอน

นายสุรเดชกล่าวต่อว่า หาก ทอท.ไม่ปฎิบัติตามเงื่อนไขของมติครม.วันที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน 2549 ชาวบ้านจะรวมตัวกันประท้วงปิดสนามบินอีกครั้ง คาดว่าไม่เกินสิ้นเดือนนี้

Biggest Landowner in Thanacity vs House/Condos Owners vs AOT vs Compensation

Anyone who comes to Thanacity may have seen a spruce up recently at the front entrance of the project and also new advertisements depicting houses and land for sale. A good example. There is a new sales office besides the PC condo . It has been offering to sell the PC condos ( Prestige Condominiums ) at around Baht 36,000 to 38,000 per sq meter. You can see the banners hanging from the lampposts leading to the site. The banners state “ PERFECT COMMUNITY “. Thanacity is now being advertised as the perfect place to stay in. These are the vacant condos those have not been sold. Anyone checked any of the land sites value that they are trying to sell.?

Many of the house or condo owners drive past these banners and may laugh to you. But WAKE UP. This is a very serious matter if you already paid for your house and your condo or still paying monthly for your mortgages.

We have seen advertisements in the internet and in the newspaper advertising the units at the PC condo for sale from as little as Baht 17,000 to Baht 25,000 sq.meter furnished for the higher floors. Why are they advertising at such high prices when current owners because of the terrible noise from the aircraft nonstop and maintenance of the estate just want to sell super cheap and run away? A well decorated and built up detached Bungalow besides the golf course is advertised at Baht 24,000,000 for around 500 sq wah or so. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. Why? Why? Why? Ask Yourself. The project owners have spend a lot of money building their sales office and from the looks of it, nobody seems to be interested. They also seems uninterested to do any sales. Is there another Objective in Mind ? Will you buy these units at the current sales prices being offered by their sales office ?

Current Residents Beware.

We wonder whether there is a hidden agenda? Some of the residents have got together to sue AOT for compensation. Current valuation at Bangna-trad area is about Baht 55,000 per sq wah for land only. What happens if Tanayong sells at at a much cheaper price to AOT ? What happens if a secret deal is carried out ? In Thailand and AOT, nothing is impossible. Are the residents protected from such a secret deal? Must the residents then follow the prices sold out by Tanayong to AOT and these prices taken to be standards ? If AOT becomes the owner of the project, can they outvote all the existing residents ? Will AOT take over the maintenance of the estate because they are the majority share holders now of the land in the project ? Can they take over the main road and identify those residents who protest too much and limit the water and electricity to them and don’t provide them with any security or don’t repair the roads or cut the bushes and the trees? What is the current responsibility of Tanayong to the current residents to the estate ? They sold us the houses in a project that failed with many unsold houses and lots of aircraft noises and all of us cannot sleep peacefully. We were not told of this in the sales contract. Again, we must remind ourselves that we are dealing with a faceless person. This is a company listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Have anyone checked who is the biggest landowner at Thanacity? We believed that it is Tanayong and probably some by the Asset Management? There is a lot of vacant houses, land and condos. Who really owns the Golf Course now ? Is there any danger of it being taken over by anybody ? We don’t know. There is a good opportunity to buy these land from the Asset Management or from the banks at very low prices when these land/houses/condos comes up for auction. Or will it be a closed door negotiation? Who then will buy it? The one who have the most knowledge on these parcels of land, of course. Most , if not all of the residents does not know what is happening in and around the estate .I am very worried when Tanayong makes a deal with AOT! The one who buys the distressed land and then resells it to AOT can make a graceful exit from Thanacity. The person can make a lot of money. If it is Tanayong, when they make an exit, there will be totally chaos for the residents. There will be no maintenance. No immediate takeover by the residents. The guards will be suddenly pulled out. No grass will be cut. All the residents will be left to themselves.

How about the various house owners stuck in many parts of the estate? They will have no one to talk to. No way to air their complains and their opinions. We believe that now all the house owners and the condos owners must get together and form a committee. We must set up a list of all the residents in the estate. This forum will act as a platform to help the residents of Thanacity. Originally, when they were sold the houses by Tanayong, they were promised of a good living environment. But now, a lot of the houses and land areas are unsold. Some of the houses are surrounded by trees and bushes. However, under the terms of sales, Tanayong is supposed to provide all the facilities and keep the estate up to a good standard. They did not do this. They are the biggest landowner as far as we know in the project. They must contribute their fair share towards this upkeep of the estate. Anybody seen the books and anybody seen the report on how they spend the funds that they collect from the various houses for the maintenance of the estate? Did they bother to send this report to any of the residents during the past many years? Are they still responsible for the maintenance ? Or are they acting as if they are responsible?

Did they declare how much properties that they own? Did they contribute themselves to the maintenance of the estate because they are the biggest landowner and originally the ones who sold us the project? Did they keep their promises? Look into the contracts that you signed with them when they first sold the house or condo to you? Look into what are their responsibilities ? There are new changes in the laws now and they are mean to protect the buyers? Be aware of your rights. Consult your neighbors. Consult your friends. Talk to your MP. Talk to your lawyers. Remember that Tanayong is a public listed company and a money making organization. It is a business for them.

AOT gives sleeping pills as panacea

For most people, acquiring sleeping pills or stress-relief drugs legally is not simple, as the medicines can't be bought over the counter.

But for villagers living near Suvarnabhumi airport, the drugs were delivered directly to their homes by Airports of Thailand (AoT) in the agency's latest attempt to silence residents' complaints about aircraft noise.

Thanatos Preeprem is among neighbours who received dozens of sleeping pills from the AoT's mobile medical unit this year.

"I did not expect that the doctor would prescribe controlled medications that easily," said the 35-year-old artist whose house is in Keha Nakhon 2 housing estate, around 400 metres from the north of the western runway.

The AoT's medical unit visited his community twice after the airport opened on Sept 28 last year.

On the first visit, the doctor gave him drugs that "help ease sleeping disorders" right after he complained that he had problems sleeping.

However, after finishing them, his insomnia problem still had not eased. So he met the medical unit again. This time they gave him yellow-white capsules clearly described as sleeping pills, after a quick check of his physical and mental condition.

"It seems that sleeping pills and stress relief drugs have become the airport's key measure to tackle the Suvarnabhumi noise problem," said Mr Thanatos, who has joined villagers from 32 communities around the airport in a struggle for proper compensation and mitigation schemes for people affected by aircraft noise over the past year.

According to the Bangkok Post's observation, a plane passes communities to the north of the runway every 2-5 minutes.

Mr Thanatos said the villagers' struggle had become fruitless since the AoT had failed to come up with any measures to mitigate aircraft noise. "First they gave us earplugs, then sleeping pills. And now that some of us have developed respiratory problems, possibly caused by oil vapour from the aircraft, AoT suggested that we should buy a face-mask," he said.

"Superficial solutions are all we can expect from the agency."

A public relations official working for the AoT's environmental department admitted that the agency's mobile medical unit had prescribed sleeping pills and anti-stress drugs to villagers who suffered from insomnia and stress.

However, the prescriptions were written only after a thorough examination of the patients' mental health by state doctors who joined AoT's mobile unit.

Most drug recipients were the elderly, said the official.