How does the Ark Bar in Samui get away with playing their music so loud?

[BigC]

Apparently the owner had a triple ninja a black belt and knows all and sees all

[BigC]

I don't need to go anywhere, I have no problem..I'm happy here you are obviously not

If you have a problem with something then move out or go to your home please

I only think this place great..I also knew about chaweng before I moved to samui.

I don't think Thai people welcome people like you..

Do you people just sit at home writing complaint letters..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Move out or go to your home? What are you talking about?

You feel comfortable where you are because you are blessed with quietness, which you obviously appreciate.

Why don't you think before you post such garbage, as long as I'm OK I don't care about the others.

I don't care about the effect the noise has on normal working people, their kids that have to go to school, the elderly etc..........

Not only tourists are this island,you fail to appreciate the normal population point of view.

What a selfish attitude , a sad reflection of some of the so called visitors to this country.

So are you telling me that when you moved to your address there was not ark bar already there???

If it was already there then what gives you the right to move to a place where there are already night clubs then tell them to close or turn their music down

What if I was to move next to you and say I don't like you children waking me up in the morning when they go to school

And I want u to move house

You would honk I am a cookoo clock

Big C......that must go down as one of the more comical comments i have read on this forum amidst all the moaning and doom and gloom and downright negative posts......"you would honk i am a cookoo clock" ha ha

I must admit I am crying with laughter after re reading that

[BigC]

I don't need to go anywhere, I have no problem..I'm happy here you are obviously not

If you have a problem with something then move out or go to your home please

I only think this place great..I also knew about chaweng before I moved to samui.

I don't think Thai people welcome people like you..

Do you people just sit at home writing complaint letters..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Move out or go to your home? What are you talking about?

You feel comfortable where you are because you are blessed with quietness, which you obviously appreciate.

Why don't you think before you post such garbage, as long as I'm OK I don't care about the others.

I don't care about the effect the noise has on normal working people, their kids that have to go to school, the elderly etc..........

Not only tourists are this island,you fail to appreciate the normal population point of view.

What a selfish attitude , a sad reflection of some of the so called visitors to this country.

So are you telling me that when you moved to your address there was not ark bar already there???

If it was already there then what gives you the right to move to a place where there are already night clubs then tell them to close or turn their music down

What if I was to move next to you and say I don't like you children waking me up in the morning when they go to school

And I want u to move house

You would honk I am a cookoo clock

Cookoo you are, Honk Honk. I can understand your spelling difficulties, but please try to improve your reading comprehension.

Please read my post again, it is directed to the other poster's remarks.

Also yes I live in a quiet area, now invaded by loud , unlicensed loud music.

What is your advice Big C ?

Should I also sell up & move?

Buy ear muffs?

Build a fence with sound proofing?

Yes 2 can play at your game of being silly.

Awaiting your precious advice.

U see now u r confused

You moved to a new area where there is loud music and for some reason you are complaining about the ark bar even though the people

U have a problem

With is not the ark bar at all because u have moved

If you are stressed I suggest boxing lessons

[samuijimmy]

time for a .....

[Pia]

U see now u r confused

You moved to a new area where there is loud music and for some reason you are complaining about the ark bar even though the people

U have a problem

With is not the ark bar at all because u have moved

If you are stressed I suggest boxing lessons

You do make me laugh Big C. I didn't move anywhere lived in an area for several years then an illegal night club opened.

I own my property, can't sell & move as you suggest to all the others, what should I do?

Re my comment about moving, all I said was it was an old cliche to tell someone :

If you don't like it go home.

[harrry]

We had a previous manager join Thaivisa & assured all concerned that it wasn't them.

Did you have to communicate with him by email as he was deaf?

[Pattaya Lous]

windows were shaking 5KLM away?????? come on lol

Absolute correct. The music travels over the water, and the bass is very loud and powerful. Why would I be making this up? I have seen this in multiple locations. At the Saraan hotel, at Sandalwood Villas, and at Vikasa, and the Best Western. This is no joke. These people are horrible creators of noise pollution.

Have you tried ear plugs 7/11 50B

[spidermike007]

windows were shaking 5KLM away?????? come on lol

Absolute correct. The music travels over the water, and the bass is very loud and powerful. Why would I be making this up? I have seen this in multiple locations. At the Saraan hotel, at Sandalwood Villas, and at Vikasa, and the Best Western. This is no joke. These people are horrible creators of noise pollution.

Have you tried ear plugs 7/11 50B

Great suggestion. It's a wonderful thing to have to use earplugs in your hilltop home, six days a week, from 8pm, to 2am. Really fair to the local population. No pressure should he put on Ark Bar to follow noise laws. Just give the local population earplugs. Do you work for NASA?

[BigC]

windows were shaking 5KLM away?????? come on lol

Absolute correct. The music travels over the water, and the bass is very loud and powerful. Why would I be making this up? I have seen this in multiple locations. At the Saraan hotel, at Sandalwood Villas, and at Vikasa, and the Best Western. This is no joke. These people are horrible creators of noise pollution.

Have you tried ear plugs 7/11 50B

Great suggestion. It's a wonderful thing to have to use earplugs in your hilltop home, six days a week, from 8pm, to 2am. Really fair to the local population. No pressure should he put on Ark Bar to follow noise laws. Just give the local population earplugs. Do you work for NASA?

My suggestion is to find where the manager or bosses live and move next door or recent a bourse next door and pump music up every time they go inside which shall probably be he day time as they are up all night

They post some ear plugs through his or her door

[spidermike007]

windows were shaking 5KLM away?????? come on lol

Absolute correct. The music travels over the water, and the bass is very loud and powerful. Why would I be making this up? I have seen this in multiple locations. At the Saraan hotel, at Sandalwood Villas, and at Vikasa, and the Best Western. This is no joke. These people are horrible creators of noise pollution.

Have you tried ear plugs 7/11 50B

Great suggestion. It's a wonderful thing to have to use earplugs in your hilltop home, six days a week, from 8pm, to 2am. Really fair to the local population. No pressure should he put on Ark Bar to follow noise laws. Just give the local population earplugs. Do you work for NASA?

My suggestion is to find where the manager or bosses live and move next door or recent a bourse next door and pump music up every time they go inside which shall probably be he day time as they are up all night

They post some ear plugs through his or her door

Good one. A bit of their own medicine. Or steal their speakers, or some other drastic measures. They seem to have little concern about their neighbors.

[Tropicalevo]

One of the good things about living in Thailand is that it is a 'free and easy' place to live. Most of the population gets to decide which laws they will obey with relative impunity. (Drink driving, speeding, overtaking, parking, taking drugs, prostitution etc)

One of the bad things about living in Thailand is that it is a 'free and easy' place to live. Some of the population get to decide which laws they will obey with relative impunity. (Making an anti social LOUD noise until the small hours of the morning in a residential area etc).

Difficult one.

I have a great deal of sympathy for those of you having to put up with the noise. I was in the same position myself a few years back with the Black Moon Parties in Plai Laem - and to an extent, Dreamers in Bangrak.

I would be happy to sign a petition if someone starts the ball rolling. And yes - I will put my real name and address on it if required.

NB for those of you that say that that sound does not travel 5 kms - baldercock. When the wind is in the right direction I can hear the music from the southern shore of KPN if it is a big event. I definitely hear all of the fireworks from Zazen and others.

[Bsd]

NB for those of you that say that that sound does not travel 5 kms - baldercock. When the wind is in the right direction I can hear the music from the southern shore of KPN if it is a big event. I definitely hear all of the fireworks from Zazen and others.

5kms, that is nothing if the noise is loud enough.

I once sat at home singing along to an ACDC concert, my house was in a hollow, surrounded by trees, on the other side of a motorway, 6 kms from the concert venue. At another house on a calm day I could hear the siren at the fire station 7 kms away.

Having live behind several night clubs I know how bad it is in places where there are noise limits that are enforced, and nothing wakes you up from what sleep you can get like someone emptying a bucket of empty beer bottles into a metal bin at 4am.

[oldsailor35]

Have you seen the car the owner drives around in ? Do you know how much a car like that costs in Thailand ? And you need to ask how he gets away with playing loud music

Have a stab in the dark guess

NO ! would'nt know his car if it ran over me, please explain!

[oldsailor35]

They get away with it...because no one files a formal complaint...so quit complaining...go to the local police...and be sure and let the bar know you are the one who turned them in to the police...then report back to Thaivisa forum how that goes for you...

Is'nt there a "Hotline" to the Generals office.

[oldsailor35]

So many complaints about loud music, but is'nt there a Decible limit to this music, and if so, who controls it. If the music is constantly over the limit, then surely there will be licence to complain to a certain authority. Its no good whinging here on TV, the mods cannot help you.

[oldsailor35]

THIS IS THAILAND. THIS IS ASIA. Noise pollution, air pollution, water pollution, garbage disposal everywhere, even right next to 5-star hotels.

Asians couldn't care less... many Caucasians as well.

Nikki Beach Resort on Samui so noisy, even the Thai staff is complaining. But life must be a party 24/7/365.

I moved away from Samui because of noise and crazy traffic. Where i am now it is much better but still too noisy for my taste.

In a couple of years it might be same same.

I feel the same as Spidermike.

Since when does NB plays loud music 24/7 ? Even on a Sunday its not too loud to have a conversation, and the rest of the week the place is half dead......no need to generalize here!

What has Sunday got to do with it ? This is a Buddhist country. Sunday is a Christian day of celebration.

[BigC]

Have you seen the car the owner drives around in ? Do you know how much a car like that costs in Thailand ? And you need to ask how he gets away with playing loud music

Have a stab in the dark guess

NO ! would'nt know his car if it ran over me, please explain!

Ha ha so he gets away with it because he has a nice car ha ha

[BigC]

THIS IS THAILAND. THIS IS ASIA. Noise pollution, air pollution, water pollution, garbage disposal everywhere, even right next to 5-star hotels.

Asians couldn't care less... many Caucasians as well.

Nikki Beach Resort on Samui so noisy, even the Thai staff is complaining. But life must be a party 24/7/365.

I moved away from Samui because of noise and crazy traffic. Where i am now it is much better but still too noisy for my taste.

In a couple of years it might be same same.

I feel the same as Spidermike.

Since when does NB plays loud music 24/7 ? Even on a Sunday its not too loud to have a conversation, and the rest of the week the place is half dead......no need to generalize here!

What has Sunday got to do with it ? This is a Buddhist country. Sunday is a Christian day of celebration.

Not any more I have noticed that since Thais or some Thais have found out that we take Sundays off or some of us they have used it as an excuse to do the same lol

[khunPer]

Have you seen the car the owner drives around in ? Do you know how much a car like that costs in Thailand ? And you need to ask how he gets away with playing loud music

Have a stab in the dark guess

NO ! would'nt know his car if it ran over me, please explain!

Lamborghini (said by staff to cost 35 million baht, which sounds correct), plus a number of other fancy cars...

[longtom]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

So many complaints about loud music, but is'nt there a Decible limit to this music, and if so, who controls it. If the music is constantly over the limit, then surely there will be licence to complain to a certain authority. Its no good whinging here on TV, the mods cannot help you.

Controlling decibels limits in Thailand?

[Pattaya Lous]

Reading this topic brings to mind Statler and Waldorf the Muppet characters

"This is Thailand"

[Tropicalevo]

Reading this topic brings to mind Statler and Waldorf the Muppet characters

"This is Thailand"

Hmmm Pattaya TV readers must be more cerebral than I am. I have no idea what this post means (and I never watched the Muppets - it was after my childhood).

[khunPer]

Reading this topic brings to mind Statler and Waldorf the Muppet characters

"This is Thailand"

Hmmm Pattaya TV readers must be more cerebral than I am. I have no idea what this post means (and I never watched the Muppets - it was after my childhood).

Didn’t have Muppet Show at my childhood either, but I’m happy I never grew too old for a good laugh – spot on (topic)...

[Pattaya Lous]

Reading this topic brings to mind Statler and Waldorf the Muppet characters

"This is Thailand"

Hmmm Pattaya TV readers must be more cerebral than I am. I have no idea what this post means (and I never watched the Muppets - it was after my childhood).

On topic actually:

Statler and Waldorf are two grumpy old men always complaining about things that they have no control over and will never be able to change. They also continue to moan and grown and criticize others achievements and people that are doing well.

[Tropicalevo]

Hmmm Pattaya TV readers must be more cerebral than I am. I have no idea what this post means (and I never watched the Muppets - it was after my childhood).

On topic actually:

Statler and Waldorf are two grumpy old men always complaining about things that they have no control over and will never be able to change. They also continue to moan and grown and criticize others achievements and people that are doing well.

It was my reply that was and thank you for the explanation

[NikoSamui]

i don't like ark bar but i don't understand why people who are complaining don't go in more quiet place ?

[spidermike007]

i don't like ark bar but i don't understand why people who are complaining don't go in more quiet place ?

The aspect that most of the defenders on this post do not seem to understand is that they are on he he beach, and have their speakers pointed out across the bay, so anyone on the entire coast, or on the opposing hillsides is subject to their incredibly loud noise, every night until at least 2am. Not a pretty thing to have to listen to. They have been warned repeatedly, and pay attention to nobody, as they are very obviously above the law, and that is both police, and military law.

[Gulfsailor]

i don't like ark bar but i don't understand why people who are complaining don't go in more quiet place ?

The aspect that most of the defenders on this post do not seem to understand is that they are on he he beach, and have their speakers pointed out across the bay, so anyone on the entire coast, or on the opposing hillsides is subject to their incredibly loud noise, every night until at least 2am. Not a pretty thing to have to listen to. They have been warned repeatedly, and pay attention to nobody, as they are very obviously above the law, and that is both police, and military law.

I do not understand how the ocean facing speakers from Ark Bar are having a negative effect on hillside residences behind it or Lamai beach whic is around the corner. Ark Bar faces Cambodia/Vietnam and sound doesn't change direction over open spaces. People in Meanam or Bang Rak can hear loud parties on Phanghan though as it is pointed straight at them.

[PoorSucker]

[khunPer]

I have plotted Ark Bar in at Google Map and the speakers sound direction pointing straight towards the sea, which they do on a line along the beachfront, and an average 90 degree dispersion, which is the normal maximum for a straight line of speakers – however low frequency bass can have 180 degree dispersion or more, whilst high frequency treble typically has less the 90 degrees, rather some 60 to 70 degree dispersion and dies quickly over distance, whilst deep bass can travel a long way. PA systems are normally designed very directionally as that improves the speakers sound pressure level (horn or “turbo” principle), often the average dispersion is 70 degrees or less.

The Chaweng beachfront bends a bit at Ark Bar and even the speakers point in direction of open sea, the dispersion lets the sound hit the hills behind Chaweng Noi at south of the bay. The distance is between 3½ and 4 kilometers. Sound level drops 6 dB (decibel, a relative logarithmic scale) per doubling of distance (dead room/open air with no reflections and no wind, nor weather), which equals 50% linear; i.e. if the sound level is 110 db 1 meter from the speaker (which is the measuring point for a speakers sound level), then the sound level is 104 dB (50%) at 2 meters distance from the speaker, 98 dB (25%) at 4 meters, 92 dB (12.5%) at 8 meters, etc.

110 dB is very loud, normally damaging pain point is considered as 114 dB. 4096 meter away the sound pressure shall be 36 dB after the simple 6 dB “hand rule”, specific calculated after a much more complex formula it shall be 37.75 dB. Even it’s 114 dB at 1 meter, it will be 41-42 dB at the hills.

(There is some good information about SPL vs. distance and the complex formula here: http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-distance.htm)

50 dB is considered the sound level in a normal home, 40 dB in a silent library and 30 dB to 35 dB for a quiet bedroom. So about 40 dB theoretically sound level from Ark Bar is not loud, but noticeable compared to a quiet room. However, now come the relative figures.

If something irritates you and you focus on it, it seems loader. If you are having a conversation with someone at some distance in a room full of people, you can still hear the person if you focus, if you don’t his words disappears in the background noise from all the other people’s conversation.

Weather can increase the sound level, like “tail wind” may add some extra dB. Reflections can produce acoustic amplification – not that there are many possibilities here – and some surfaces or structures can kill the sound waves; that’s what makes acoustics such a difficult science and why mistakes are often made when designing halls/rooms used for concerts and the like. Even temperature can make a difference and let the sound “travel better”; the mystery why open air concert PA-systems sounded better in evenings or at night is that an air temperature drop and the heat rising from the 50,000 or 100,000 guests is producing a perfect level or “highway” the sound can travel at, just over the heads of the audience – the warm sea and colder air at night can perform a similar “motorway” and let the music from Ark Bar travel better towards the hills and uphill from the still sun warmed rocks – or from Koh Phangan over the sea to Maenam Bay so we also can enjoy a Black Moon Party. And then of course, bass travels far better over long distance than higher frequencies.

A bit technical: A simple Sound Pressure Level measuring instrument can unveil how many dB sound pressure there actually is in Chaweng Noi hills; choose a scale measuring the low frequencies, some scales are weighted to cut off bass at around 100 Hz. Various noise limits in the “civilized world” are often set to be between 25-30 dB(A) at night and some 45-60 dB(A) at day; A-weighted scale that cuts deep bass frequencies off by 20-30 dB (leaving only some 15 to 4 percent deep bass). A noise measure is normally made average (slow) in dB(A). It would not surprise me if an evening result is in the level between 40 db and 50 dB “unweighted” (C-scale fast, measuring the bass peaks or kick drum), which is like a “normal” living room noise level or less – but far from any level that can make windows shaking – and less in an A-weighted average (slow) scale, perhaps something around 30-35 dB(A), which is not alarming from a pure measuring point of view. Acoustic sound is a very complex science, so it would be interesting to have it measured and see what the real facts are, perhaps SpiderMike is right and it is loud enough to shake something…?

And yes, that can be (very) irritating listening to a distant techno-party when sitting on the porch enjoying an otherwise quiet tropical night. However the human brain also manipulates sound and if something first irritates, the brain will focus on that particular sound – just like a voice in a crowd of people can be extremely irritating even it’s not louder or as loud as the other voices, but you notice it all the time.

On the other hand, this is Thailand and there are noises all over. I don’t know how long time Ark Bar have had beach parties, but Green Mango and Raggae Pub has been there for 25 and 26 years – however the speaker systems has grown in size over time – so as said in my earlier post, choosing to live in or close to an amusement area is equal to choose to live with some noise at night.

But “look at the bright side of life”, you don’t seem to have temple markets around Chaweng Noi – that can be a both very loud and irritating experience with mixed sound from often 2 stages, one with kids or amateur karaoke singing out of tune, interfered by Thai Bingo numbers and other announcements etc. till 2 am for 10 nights in a row – however a limited period a couple of times or three in a year; after that the distant techno-stuff from a Koh Phangan Black Moon Party is a very pleasant and relaxing experience.

And by the way, it is impossible for the sound – or noise – from Ark Bar to pass the hills and “travel” to Lamai; earth and rock are the best sound isolators and perfectly obstructing the heading according to Google satellite map.