Very Noisy Market Next To Condo - Till Midnight

[greatjob]

Hi All,

I've been in Thailand for 10 years now and have finally decided to buy a condo on Sukhumvit. The condo is about 100 m into a small soi and next to a parking lot.

The last 9 months have been wonderful and calm. Unfortunately about 7 days ago a market has set up its ground next to the low-rise building.

In itself, markets are generally fun and wouldn't bother me at all but they decided to set up a stage (pretty much what you would see for a small concert) with large loudspeakers, approximately 10 meters from the building.

Every night they play loud music, very loud bass, karaoke style, and this until midnight ... every night.

The building has already sent a letter to the police and I have at least called them 10 times. I do speak decent Thai and I was always told that it would take "up to 7 days" for the case to be "investigated."

Well, it's been more than 7 days and still nothing. I've seen the police come 2-3 times but they just lowered the sound for 30 minutes until the BIB left and it was as if they hadn't come.

I was wondering what kind of laws in Thailand deal with noise? I know for a fact that karaoke bars are allowed to open till midnight but get fined if later than that but the "concert stage" I am talking about is "outside" next to our condo, couldn't be louder.

Thanks a lot for your help,

Ken

[givenall]

Even if there were any law to stop them, would be very hard to enforce since they have deeper pocket than you

[gvallee2]

i live in said condo and you can just be happy that you are on the side of the market that will not stay forever.

I am on the other side and we have a bunch of tuktuks who party all night every 2days in said parking lot. Also 7/11's light is so strong, no curtain can stop it. one of the biggest reason i am getting the f out of this dirty soi

[wintermute]

A high powered air rifle and a good aim could disable those speakers indefinitely.

http://www.airgundepot.com/varmint-hunting-airguns.html

[Nio]

Been in Thailand for 10 years and bought a condo with an empty parking lot next door off Sukhumvit and had no idea this could happen?

Where have you been hiding for the past 10 years?

Every available inch of Sukhumvit area they find something to use it for whether legal or not during the night.

The market are probably paying off the cops and they will be there forever.

It simply amazes me, some of the things farangs get themselves into in Thailand

My god mate, where exactly do you think you are?

One stroll down Sukhumvit with your eyes open should tell you this is not the area to buy anything in.

I think basically you are screwed, if the market is a success, they pay the cops, the market stays, you take a screwing trying to sell if ever can

There is one born everyday and that is the truth

[JSixpack]

You'll need to soundproof your condo and have your earplugs handy. Use headphones for watching TV or playing music.

Seen it done, the only way. TIT.

[jackr]

There is one born everyday

This has to be the most pathetic, cringe-worthy line on TV.

A high powered air rifle and a good aim could disable those speakers indefinitely.

[greatjob]

i live in said condo and you can just be happy that you are on the side of the market that will not stay forever.

I am on the other side and we have a bunch of tuktuks who party all night every 2days in said parking lot. Also 7/11's light is so strong, no curtain can stop it. one of the biggest reason i am getting the f out of this dirty soi

Thank you all for your input, again the said parking lot is normally empty or with markets selling shoes or things like that, never that noisy (has never been noisy at night). It is probably just one vendor who decided to go overboard this time and get a quick buck with a "so-called" show that isn't one.

I was not aware of what was happening on the other side of the building.... crazy.... I feel sorry for you Gvallee2...

It seems that we will have to live with it until Sunday(they are supposed to leave on Sunday).

Again if anyone has any idea whether any law dealing with noisy neighbors exists in Thailand, that would help me understand.

Ken

[Payboy]

Count yourself lucky that you dont live next to a mosque or a temple. Those are permanent.

[bkkjames]

Count yourself lucky that you dont live next to a mosque or a temple. Those are permanent.

I live in ear range of a Mosque. At first it was quite annoying but you get used to it. Thankfully not very loud at 5am.

One thing I learned after a few mistakes is visit your potential apartment / condo / house in the evenings or during the day on the weekends to get an idea of the noise /environment at times that you are actually home.

Other things to watch out for are potential construction sites (empty lots), hospitals, aforementioned markets in the evenings, motorbike friendly streets for young boys to race on.

[neverdie]

Count yourself lucky that you dont live next to a mosque or a temple. Those are permanent.

Yes, Can you imagine living next to a mosque listening to call to prayer 5 times per day

[sorensen]

Count yourself lucky that you dont live next to a mosque or a temple. Those are permanent.

Temples can be rough neighbours. Not so much because of the monks, but the dogs, the ever barking dogs.

[ballpoint]

The horror! The horror!

[gvallee2]

worse thing is.. they dont sell any good food, good supply and they dont offer fun games.. weird market

[greatjob]

worse thing is.. they dont sell any good food, good supply and they dont offer fun games.. weird market

I agree, I just don't know how they make money, especially when you see that their "concert" or "show" attracts at most 2-3 people a night (often so drunk they can't even buy another beer anymore). When you count the power bill, the dancers that need to be paid, the rental of the equipment.... I don't see them making any money...

Thanks for the advice James, this is definitely a must-do. I actually did my homework when I was prospecting to buy the apartment and all was calm and nice on that side of the building, even on weekends.... I guess you never know until you live there....

Ken

[bkkjames]

worse thing is.. they dont sell any good food, good supply and they dont offer fun games.. weird market

I agree, I just don't know how they make money, especially when you see that their "concert" or "show" attracts at most 2-3 people a night (often so drunk they can't even buy another beer anymore). When you count the power bill, the dancers that need to be paid, the rental of the equipment.... I don't see them making any money...

Thanks for the advice James, this is definitely a must-do. I actually did my homework when I was prospecting to buy the apartment and all was calm and nice on that side of the building, even on weekends.... I guess you never know until you live there....

Ken

2-3 people doesnt sound like much of a market mate, more like roadside karaoke joint.

[greatjob]

worse thing is.. they dont sell any good food, good supply and they dont offer fun games.. weird market

I agree, I just don't know how they make money, especially when you see that their "concert" or "show" attracts at most 2-3 people a night (often so drunk they can't even buy another beer anymore). When you count the power bill, the dancers that need to be paid, the rental of the equipment.... I don't see them making any money...

Thanks for the advice James, this is definitely a must-do. I actually did my homework when I was prospecting to buy the apartment and all was calm and nice on that side of the building, even on weekends.... I guess you never know until you live there....

Ken

2-3 people doesnt sound like much of a market mate, more like roadside karaoke joint.

The market in itself is not small (maybe 40 booths) and gather quite a crowd every night but the stage they use for their so-called "shows" is way too big for their 2-3 spectators .... and the sound system is ridiculously monstrous.

[007]

Even if there were any law to stop them, would be very hard to enforce since they have deeper pocket than you

Agree 100%; no way to enforce such laws, except if you know a high-ranking officer on the force.

[ArthurPewty]

I have a Chinese temple opposite me. It is generally quiet, but when it is time to celerbrate, make offerings to gods, burn money for the dead (is it just me that thinks that is daft) or let off firecrakers to scare off ghosts then they are pain in the neck. The people, not the ghosts of course.

[toptuan]

I was wondering what kind of laws in Thailand deal with noise?

Like others have said, even if there were, it's the enforcement you need to be concerned about.

We have "No U-Turn" signs in our city at a busy intersection, but even the police violate it when they're just out and about.

Thailand is not governed by laws. It's governed by people who have more powerful connections than others. You need to develop those connections to solve your problem.

[jayjayjayjay]

Try a school with 500 5-12 year olds. Dame peaceful on Weekends, but you would not believe the noise so many kids can make when playing in a confined playground. Not to mention the 8am call to attention played at 250 decibels to quieten the kids.

[khunjake]

My god mate, where exactly do you think you are?

Switzerland?

[samtam]

My friend visiting from Hong Kong last week is the chairman of a publicly listed company. He had not been to Bangkok for about 4 years and he said how sad it was to see that Bangkok was such a sh*thole, and unlike other Asian cities, such as Singapore and Shanghai, had not developed one iota in the intervening period. I was rather surprised by the comment, because I think you do become inured to the downmarket status, and it takes a new pair of eyes to open up your own. Having myself just returned from Tokyo and Hong Kong, the difference in infrastructure is of course startling. However, I do enjoy the slower pace of life here compared to those two cities, but I think it is unfortunate that there is very little social order and planning. Perhaps thus it ever was, and will be? The deterioration of many areas from potentially pretty and ordered places into the type of market areas you describe proves this point very well.

[Birdman]

All that noise from the OP just for a loud 2 weeks temporary market. Well get over it, and be glad that this does not stay for years.

[on-on]

Yeah, the "never buy, rent or lease a dwelling next to an open or empty lot" rule should be in the guidebooks. No space goes to waste. Even when there's not an empty lot you're never surprised to see the row of shophouses next door torn down and a condo going up.

[Richb2004v2]

I've always said that living in Thailand is like living in a bad council estate, complete with ignorant people, litter, stray dogs, unkempt property, the wandering drunk, cars playing loud music, people driving dangerously and a lack of Police enforcement generally. Actually that's an insult to British council estates as most of them are much better than the majority of Thailand. In Thailand you generally have no avenue for complaint or assistance.

[gvallee2]

I've always said that living in Thailand is like living in a bad council estate, complete with ignorant people, litter, stray dogs, unkempt property, the wandering drunk, cars playing loud music, people driving dangerously and a lack of Police enforcement generally. Actually that's an insult to British council estates as most of them are much better than the majority of Thailand. In Thailand you generally have no avenue for complaint or assistance.

You can be pretty sure there wont be any nuisance if you live in Sathorn/lang suan/ari or similar places. Best sleep i ever had in thailand was while i was living in sathorn

[loquent]

Yeah, the "never buy, rent or lease a dwelling next to an open or empty lot" rule should be in the guidebooks. No space goes to waste. Even when there's not an empty lot you're never surprised to see the row of shophouses next door torn down and a condo going up.

The only ones worse than this poor unfortunate are the ones who believe that Pattaya is that 'Wonderful City' that the ruling mafia keep telling you it is.

As for laws ..... Thailand has them all and applies none. Therefore, he's fer ked big time. Never buy. That's the answer and my time in Pattaya - That wonderful City - saw me move repeatedly as the noise just bursts out over time whereever you go. They pay to set up. Who do they pay? The police so you've no chance of changing it one iota.

I got out before my last strand of sanity followed the raft over the edge. Now, in a peaceful environment, far far away from Pataya, I talk to myself without shouting and it all makes sense. Whereas before I couldn't hear what I was thinking let alone saying.

Do you really want to live your life in that hel_l hole with ear plugs and headphones to shut out their noise and trap yours in? Is that the quality of lfie you've worked hard all your life to acquire? Actually, I could be a tad wide of the mark there on the old personal description. This is Pattaya - That wonderful City - where the mis fits fit. So most of you reading this have re-invented your selves as well whatever , you're pretty harmless or just self harming. You should see a doctor.

So whatever you happen to be appearing as this week then good luck. That's the problem with buying. You just can't move into the next condo and bore those in the nearest bar with your tales of daring-do in Watford's East Cheam where you spent 34 years as a bank clerk transformed into a Special Agent working overseas in the bond department: bonds, main bonds.

Oh, Oh 7-11s closing. Got to go. Man on a mission - get the noise turned down! Mission Impossible?

[Richb2004v2]

I'm not even sure it's realistic to expect to find a quite location in Thailand other than high up in a condo. But even then you'll have the presence of Thai neighbors probably. I live on a quite estate but that doesn't stop the noise from the next not to quite estate from reaching me, or the noise from the car audio shop 3/4 km away, or the temple noise which is so far away I don't even know where it is. Noise is a way of life here.

[kevkev1888]

Yeah, the "never buy, rent or lease a dwelling next to an open or empty lot" rule should be in the guidebooks. No space goes to waste. Even when there's not an empty lot you're never surprised to see the row of shophouses next door torn down and a condo going up.

I got out before my last strand of sanity followed the raft over the edge. Now, in a peaceful environment, far far away from Pataya, I talk to myself without shouting and it all makes sense.

Why does that not surprise me?