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From the Bangkok Post:
ANUCHA CHAROENPO
Areas adjacent to the northern and southern ends of Suvarnabhumi airport will be expropriated to create ''buffer zones'', in a bid to minimise noise pollution. Supharat Choksakulrat, Airports of Thailand (AoT)'s environmental adviser, yesterday told a House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment inspecting the airport that it would take around eight months to complete the land expropriation in order to prepare for the official inauguration of the airport, scheduled to take place in June 2006.
Ms Supharat said residential areas located in tambon Bang Chalong of Bang Phli district in Samut Prakan and tambon Lat Krabang of Lat Krabang district in Bangkok would be affected.
The areas have 179 houses, seven warehouses, two shophouses and six buildings owned by the local government.
She said the noise buffer zones were necessary because people living in the areas would face major disturbances from the roar of jet engines when they take off and land at Suvarnabhumi airport. Noise levels could reach more than 70-75 decibels, which could be harmful to people's hearing.
She said AoT had already held talks with people likely to be affected and pointed out that most were ready to be relocated.
But Phien Wancham, a former chairman of the Bang Chalong Tambon Administration Organisation, argued that the company had not yet done enough to inform residents in the area of its land expropriation plans, as many suspected that there were other reasons for clearing the area.
He demanded the company carry out more public relations activities regarding the plan and conduct further studies of the environmental impact.
Premsak Piayura, the committee's deputy chairman, said he was very concerned over the expropriation project because he was afraid those affected would not receive sufficient compensation.
But Mr Premsak said that he wanted the company to conduct more surveys to research future noise pollution issues in line with airport's planned expansion.
source: Bangkok Post