Balloonthreat Gets Aot Jittery

[sriracha john]

Meanwhile, back on the balloon front..an ultimatum is made..."9MOREDAYSANDTHENGAWDDAMNITIMGONNAKILLEVERYONE!"

Airport residents renew balloon threat

An angry meeting of fed-up noise victims around Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday gave authorities nine days to solve the noise conflict or they will launch balloons to disrupt airliner traffic. Some 2,000 people gathered at Moo Baan Ruam Rudee in Lad Krabang district of Samut Prakarn province next to Bangkok, aiming to pressure authorities to disburse financial compensation promised to them. Wearing hats with a picture of balloons and two planes colliding, the residents threatened to release the balloons to cause disruption to air traffic if their calls were not answered. Officials have asked the residents to drop any such dangerous plans, but the noise victims have held the balloons as a bargaining chip.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=121478

[UnknownPoster]

This can't be good for Thailands reputation as a tourist getaway.

People planning their winter holiday might choose another destination where the planes won't crash.

Another nail in the tourism coffin.

[sriracha john]

Airport protesters give ultimatum

About 1,000 protesters yesterday marched to Suvarnabhumi Airport and made clear that they would disrupt flights by releasing balloons if the authorities failed to tackle noise pollution from the airport within nine days.

The protesters were residents of nearby areas who have been complaining about deafening aircraft noise since the airport opened last September.

The residents first threatened to disrupt flights with balloons on August 31 and demanded action by the authorities by September 7. Angry at the lack of response, they started gathering at a spot near the airport yesterday morning, with more than 3,000 present by 10am.

They later marched to the airport, but only about one-third actually entered the airport compound.

About 500 security guards and policemen were deployed to control the situation. Following a minor altercation, the protesters marched to the passenger terminal and waited in front for officials to come out to negotiate.

To ensure airport security, officials closed four entrances to the terminal at the spot where the protesters had gathered.

According to protest leader Wanchat Manasombat, Airports of Thailand (AOT) must buy houses in areas where the noise level is 30-40 NEF (noise exposure forecast) if the owners want to sell, at a price jointly agreed upon by the Treasury Department, local people and AOT.

Areas with serious noise-pollution levels should get help within two months while other, less affected areas must be offered solutions within four months, he said.

Another demand was that AOT provide assistance to affected people living outside recognised noise-affected areas as long as their homes are indeed affected.

The protesters also demanded the government revert to the Cabinet resolution on dealing with the noise pollution that was passed on November 21, because it is more favourable to the affected residents than another Cabinet resolution on the matter passed in May this year.

According to protesters, the new Cabinet resolution removed many zones from the list of affected areas even though they also faced the noise problem.

Samut Prakan Governor Anuwat Metheewiboonwoot and Suvarnabhumi Airport director Serirat Prasutanont sat down for negotiations with protesters' representatives at around 2.30pm.

Anuwat and Serirat promised to relay the protesters' demands to Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen today.

Following the negotiations, the protesters agreed to disperse.

Wanchai said his group was planning to sue Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and all other Cabinet members except Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanidwong na Ayudhaya for embracing the new Cabinet resolution, which had caused trouble for people.

Kasem would be spared because he had clearly tried to help the affected people, he said.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Off you go. Protesters scuffle with security guards who try to keep them away from the passenger terminal.

Bangkok Post

[sriracha john]

Airport protest:

Thai security members, left, open their blockade for protesting residents to enter the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand. About 3,000 residents of 32 communities around the Suvarnabhumi International Airport broke the line of security and march through the office of the Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) and demanded the authorities to give them compensations and help them cope with noise pollution. The residents were dispersed after a two-hour protest and threatened to disrupt the flights at the airport with balloons if the AOT failed to come up with concrete measures to help them within the nine-day deadline.

Associated Press

Thai riot police officers take up positions outside the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Associated Press

A group of protesting residents at the Suvarnabhumi Airport says they will move ahead with plans to stage a balloon protest if the Airport Authority and the government's policy to solve their noise problem is not handed down within 9 days.

Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

UPDATE... As the little girl says in Close Encounters...."They're baaaaaackkkk... "

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btw.... might a mod be so kind as to fix the thread title please to make it more readable?

Perhaps something like:

Balloon Threat Gets Airport Authorities Jittery

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Two people arrested for disrupting air traffic at airport

BANGKOK, April 23 (TNA) - Two people were seeking help on Wednesday from the Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT) after they were arrested and charged by police for allegedly releasing balloons to disrupt flights to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The man and a woman who were arrested on Tuesday night, told the LCT in a letter they were innocent and urged lawyers there to probe whether policemen who had apprehended them had abused their power.

The LCT said it would provide legal assistance to the two people who had been released on bail.

Residents living near the airport who accompanied the two to the LCT office said balloons were released at the airport last night but the two accused persons were innocent.

Meanwhile, Chaisawat Kittipornpaibul, Permanent Secretary for Transport, said police would set the two persons free if it was found they did not release the balloons.

Mr. Chaisawat urged people not to launch balloons at the airport as the action would not only stall negotiations on paying compensation to people living near the airport affected by noise pollution, but also tarnish the country’s image and put airport passengers lives at risk.

[sriracha john]

Flight hazard

Police arrested two people on Wednesday after yipeng lanterns were released in an attempt to disrupt flights at Suvarnabhumi airport by residents upset by the airport noise. Air traffic controllers alerted police after they spotted around 10 of the flaming balloons in the night sky near the airport. Police descended on a housing estate and made the arrests. Chaisawat Kittipornpaibul, Permanent Secretary for Transport, urged people not to launch balloons at the airport as it would tarnish the country’s image and put airport passengers lives at risk. He said it would also stall negotiations on paying compensation to people living near the airport affected by noise pollution. A man and a woman were seeking help from the Lawyers Council of Thailand after their arrest. They face charges of releasing balloons to disrupt flights to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=127277

[sriracha john]

Lanterns fly high in airport protest

Two arrested; warning of danger to aircraft

Two people have been arrested for releasing yipeng lanterns into the night sky near Suvarnabhumi airport in protest against unsettled compensation for residents suffering from aircraft noise. Transport authorities have warned how dangerous such an action could be and urged protesters not to do it again. Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri called for talks to end the compensation problem, saying releasing more floating lanterns would only cause more trouble. Air traffic controllers alerted police about 10pm on Tuesday that they could see about 10 lanterns floating in the sky south of the airport. About 30 police then descended on Bangkwang Lang housing estate in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district and arrested Thongbai Sannag, 65, and her nephew, Suchart Chantawong, 32. About a dozen other people ran away. Police saw three yipeng lanterns, each about one metre in diameter, up in the air and another on the ground. Materials used in making the lanterns were also found at the scene. Samut Prakan Police Chief Pol Maj-Gen Wittaya Prayongphan said the two were charged with causing a hazard to air traffic. The offence carries a maximum five-year jail term and/or a 20,000 baht fine. The two denied the charge. "The police tried to force me to accept the charge," Ms Thongbai said. "But I was just looking at the lanterns, just like other people were doing." The lantern launching followed a meeting earlier that day between residents affected by airport noise and AoT and Transport Ministry representatives.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/24Apr2008_news01.php

Edited April 24, 2008 by sriracha john

[Scott]

Noise pollution on the scale experienced near the airport is pervasive and has a very negative affect on people psychologically. They need to get the situation settled and get the people moved away from the airport.

[Thai at Heart]

Noise pollution on the scale experienced near the airport is pervasive and has a very negative affect on people psychologically. They need to get the situation settled and get the people moved away from the airport.

These people don't want to move, they don't want noise insulation, they want hard cash.

[Scott]

In general, if the AOT pays for the property the folks would be forced to relocate, I would think. If they pay for sound insulation, then they should install or supervise the installation.

I have stayed near an airport--flights stopped at midnight, but before that, it was horrible. My sympathies are with the people here.

[Tony Clifton]

Noise pollution on the scale experienced near the airport is pervasive and has a very negative affect on people psychologically. They need to get the situation settled and get the people moved away from the airport.

These people don't want to move, they don't want noise insulation, they want hard cash.

Noise proof insulation can only do so much in these types of buildings made of concrete conducting noise and vibrations so easily. Even in Chonburi the rumble of planes in early take off can be heard and is sometimes quite loud, leaving me wondering WTH is happening outside, but not enough to complain. That airport sure is blessed with controversy, som nam na.

[ratcatcher]

As far as I remember these particula housing estates are fifteen years old. There was no construction then.

I've seen references in posts to the fact that the airport is over 40 years in the planning. Would it have been known 15 years ago that an airport was a probability, or merely a slim possibility?

If, as Plus states, the housing estates are 15 years or older, then I do have some sympathy. However several years ago when Lord Thaksin ruled the roost, the "Aerotropolis Hub" was the big thing, a built up area around Suvarnabhumi.

Lots of people rushed to buy land to cash in on this great enterprise. I have no sympathy whatsoever for those who bought out of greed or naivete.

[magpie3]

As far as I remember these particula housing estates are fifteen years old. There was no construction then.

I've seen references in posts to the fact that the airport is over 40 years in the planning. Would it have been known 15 years ago that an airport was a probability, or merely a slim possibility?

If, as Plus states, the housing estates are 15 years or older, then I do have some sympathy. However several years ago when Lord Thaksin ruled the roost, the "Aerotropolis Hub" was the big thing, a built up area around Suvarnabhumi.

Lots of people rushed to buy land to cash in on this great enterprise. I have no sympathy whatsoever for those who bought out of greed or naivete.

We have had the land for 30 years and the house for 22 We now find ourselves north of the west runway by under 2km in an area designated Noise Exposure Factor 35, and our house regularly shakes from roof to foundations.

Latest news for us - a repair package to 'treat' the roof and windows - about Bt200-300k.

Problem -

Sound proofing Thai constructions of concrete framework with brick infil built on clay = elasoplast on a biscuit tin.

The best the package will do for us is to prevent the roof collapsing on our heads - hmmm. . . now that would give AOT a problem.

What happened to all the talk of designating areas (NEF 35 & above) to be bought outright? Perhaps the shareholders wouldn't like it? Perhaps the government is too weak or disinterested/preoccupied. Perhaps life, or the quality of it is considered that cheap by Thais?

We (and there must be others) just want to get on with our lives without the UNREASONABLE HORRENDOUS noise and (just as important but under-reported) air pollution.

Remember the UK legal jargon, 'the right to peaceful enjoyment' of the property? Ha ha - I see how funny that is now in the Thai context, but it was part of the dream 20 years ago. Now unimaginable.

There seems no end to the process of extricating ourselves from this situation without severe financial loss and personal inconvenience.

The word compensation is a misnoma, all that would be offered by AOT is the price of the house & land with no allowance for the years of abuse and insecurity.

Still, even at that level of 'compensation' if AOT asked me the big question - the answer would be DEAL!