I live in a rural village in Isaan, about two kilometers from a temple. I have lived here since March. NOT UNTIL THE LAST FEW DAYS has the temple ever used its very loud megaphone so early in the morning. My understanding is that Ok Phansa is over, so why are they only now broadcasting prayers and chants that early in the morning at a decibel level that wakes me up, even though I'm over a mile from them? What's going on, when will it stop, and how much trouble would I be in if I publicly complained about it? Thank you.

I took this all into account when my wife wanted us to move up to the back blocks of Korat. She inherited a dilapidated house from her family. She suggested we do  major renovations, I lived there for 4 weeks and told her it simply won't happen. Even now I visit her 2 brothers who are both monks every year. I hate the place but her 2 brothers and myself were very good friends before they decided to go to Buddha. I'm sure the best thing that ever came out of Korat is highway 304 back to Bangkok ( civilisation )

You're lucky.

 

We live equidistant from three villages/three temples......one of the temples starts a 4am.

 

Plus the three of village heads start droning on from 6am.

2 hours ago, Krillin said:

My understanding is that Ok Phansa is over, so why are they only now broadcasting prayers and chants that early in the morning at a decibel level that wakes me up, even though I'm over a mile from them? What's going on, when will it stop, and how much trouble would I be in if I publicly complained about it?

 

"...so why are they only now broadcasting prayers and chants that early in the morning at a decibel level that wakes me up, even though I'm over a mile from them?"

Because you live in rural Thailand.  Can you complain?  Sure - if you really want to relegate yourself as being the stuck-up village farang who doesn't want to integrate into the Thai society in which he CHOSE TO live and who has become a pain in the behind.  Honestly.  If it disturbs you that much, you really don't belong out here in the sticks.  I've lived out in rural Thailand for years and I don't even hear the loud speaker at zero-dark-thirty any more.  No - you don't want to complain.  It wouldn't do any good, and you'll not make any friends.  Yeah, there is nothing like a farang going to the village head to tell him that you don't like the Thai culture or the country's religion, and "please, can you stop making noise because you're disturbing me - Khun Farang - Mr. Special Person!"  Best of luck with that attitude! 
 

2 hours ago, Krillin said:

live in a rural village in Isaan

Why did you chose to live there?

Whats the draw card?

I miss the temple music and chants. After years living near a mosque I also missed the calls to prayer. Funny how it works. Nowadays just got traffic noise, doubt Ill miss that🤣

End of wet season. Party season begins. 

 

9 hours ago, Krillin said:

how much trouble would I be in if I publicly complained about it? Thank you.

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

End of wet season. Party season begins. 

 

Nice video, lots of happy Thai's. 

 

Farang not look happy 😞

 

Oh yes, living the dream in Isaan.  555

6AM here but I'm 1/2 kilo away from where they speak and play music, and I'm up at 5:30 anyway, so it's not been a problem. I could see it as one for the elderly in the village center, but seeing it's been going on so long, and they aren't likely complaining. I would think it would definitely bother foreigners not accustomed to it, especially if they're late sleepers.

 

To the OP, get earplugs, as what Connda said is spot on. You want to be anonymous. The only real problem are the all night weddings, where loud music is blasted until dawn, but it isn't that many and the earplugs will help.

Just as I wonder how the Islamic call to prayer worked before they invented loudspeakers, I wonder how the temples managed (around here, temple drums and bells are still used most days, the only "religious" noise we get comes from funerals and even that ends at 10pm - 5am). Most local government stuff (market prices, naming of donators to temple funds, village meetings etc) happen after 6am.

 

So it can be done, but Thais, generally, are BLOODY NOISY by any standards. Living in rural Thailand does involve going to bed "early", whatever that means. The monks are circulating before 6am, market sellers are come and are gone by 6.30am. This really is a case of adjusting to the Thai ways or going elsewhere. 

Lazada sell ladders, torches and sidecutting pliers...

1 hour ago, cooked said:

Just as I wonder how the Islamic call to prayer worked before they invented loudspeakers,

On holiday in Sri Lanka we got a reduction in the bill at a 5* hotel after complaining about the noise.  We've learned to use Google Maps now when booking holidays.

13 hours ago, Krillin said:

so why are they only now broadcasting prayers and chants that early in the morning at a decibel level that wakes me up

By 05:30 a.m. I've had my coffee and am on my way to the park to exercise. Why are you still lounging around in bed expecting people to be quiet so you can get your beauty sleep? Drag your lazy ass out of bed and start your day. 

2 hours ago, cooked said:

Just as I wonder how the Islamic call to prayer worked before they invented loudspeakers, I wonder how the temples managed (around here, temple drums and bells are still used most days, the only "religious" noise we get comes from funerals and even that ends at 10pm - 5am). Most local government stuff (market prices, naming of donators to temple funds, village meetings etc) happen after 6am.

 

So it can be done, but Thais, generally, are BLOODY NOISY by any standards. Living in rural Thailand does involve going to bed "early", whatever that means. The monks are circulating before 6am, market sellers are come and are gone by 6.30am. This really is a case of adjusting to the Thai ways or going elsewhere. 

In England on a Sunday morning, the sound of pealing church bells can be very annoying if you are hung over!

Ptetty much the same as mosques in the UK calls for priers at 6 am through their loud speakers,

and with more being built as we speak, Enjoy the pleasure guys of letting millions of Muslims into your country, Enjoy..

2 hours ago, cooked said:

Just as I wonder how the Islamic call to prayer worked before they invented loudspeakers, I wonder how the temples managed (around here, temple drums and bells are still used most days, the only "religious" noise we get comes from funerals and even that ends at 10pm - 5am). Most local government stuff (market prices, naming of donators to temple funds, village meetings etc) happen after 6am.

 

So it can be done, but Thais, generally, are BLOODY NOISY by any standards. Living in rural Thailand does involve going to bed "early", whatever that means. The monks are circulating before 6am, market sellers are come and are gone by 6.30am. This really is a case of adjusting to the Thai ways or going elsewhere. 

Back in the old days, they would build a prayer room or a mosque within walking distance for everybody, that would be in a muslim country, 

Having lived here in Phuket for many years within striking distance from 2 fairly big mosque, but's not everyday the wash your bum time, and Thai's not being good time keepers it can happen anywhere from 5 to 5-30 am, It doesn't bother me I think it's quite nice to hear in the distance, 

11 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Why did you chose to live there?

Whats the draw card?

Follow the little lady to her village and make a home there. The bad part is they don't have enough eggs in the basket to move away once they settle in. Not all of course, but I'd wager a good amount of foreigners secretly wish they had made different decisions. 

Flock of Koels.

 

Try a brood of cicadas.

2 hours ago, JAG said:

Lazada sell ladders, torches and sidecutting pliers...

Not a good idea.  When I lived in Mandalay (Myanmar) a few years ago, a Dutch chap got tired of the early-morning chants and cut the loudspeaker wires.  He served 6 months in jail for that act and had to be taken covertely early one morning from the prison to the airport after his sentence was completed, such was the anger of the local (peaceful!) Buddhists.....

53 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Ptetty much the same as mosques in the UK calls for priers at 6 am through their loud speakers,

and with more being built as we speak, Enjoy the pleasure guys of letting millions of Muslims into your country, Enjoy..

 

57 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

In England on a Sunday morning, the sound of pealing church bells can be very annoying if you are hung over!

Back in the old days there was this guy called 'Muzzin' a man who calls Muslims to prayer from the minaret of a mosque.

37 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Follow the little lady but I'd wager a good amount of foreigners secretly wish they had made different decisions. 

The wishing starts at 5.30 am everyday

8 minutes ago, ezzra said:

 

Back in the old days there was this guy called 'Muzzin' a man who calls Muslims to prayer from the minaret of a mosque.

There still is. The muezzin at my local mosque in Hat Yai has a very good voice, sure the adhan is amplified these days, but they don't pump the volume up too high. I sleep through the dawn one, but the midday and sunset ones mark the day for me.

 

We have two temples near us as well, so there are times in the evening if I'm up on the roof watering the garden I get monks x2 plus the muezzin.

Could be worse, if you lived in the Uk you would have call to prayers from the local Mosque.

6 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

Could be worse, if you lived in the Uk you would have call to prayers from the local Mosque.

Council Discretion: Mosques must apply to their local authority for permission to use loudspeakers. Approval depends on:

  ⁠◦  Volume and timing

  ⁠◦  Community feedback

  ⁠◦  Environmental noise impact

14 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

The wishing starts at 5.30 am everyday

Nah, I'm up at 0530 most days anyway. No, it would be the day in and day out of people coming over like they owned the place. 

6 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Nah, I'm up at 0530 most days anyway. No, it would be the day in and day out of people coming over like they owned the place. 

Cool.

maybe get down to the temple, grab the microphone and start sharing your wisdom with the people.

4 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Cool.

maybe get down to the temple, grab the microphone and start sharing your wisdom with the people.

No, I escaped from Isaan years ago. Now my only task is buying some beer and deciding whether I want to drink on the beach or poolside.