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April seems to be the ultimate month for environmental awareness with celebrations of both Earth Day and International Noise Awareness Day, and it is an occasion to remind us all that noise pollution is a very serious environmental problem. The effects of loud noise can range from restlessness and sleep deprivation to stress and hearing loss. The longer you listen to loud noise, the more prone you are to these physical and mental dangers.
In Thailand, people in general may not think of loud noise as a health hazard. Some might think that all big cities are noisy. Also, Thais are used to seeking help from the authorities. When that doesn't work, many just give up. According to one foreigner: ``Thais feel it is impolite to approach another person with a request to modify their behaviour.''
But some foreign residents who have joined Quiet Bangkok believe that improving the understanding of the rights and duties of living together in a neighbourhood is a way to reduce Bangkok's noise levels.
They have learned that some business operators, when engaged in a positive dialogue, will agree to reasonable adjustments that won't hurt their businesses, such as adjusting loudspeaker volumes and replacing whistles with light batons.
Residents who have had positive experiences negotiating with noisy establishments _ along with foreigners who have lived in quieter big cities and those mentally and physically injured by noise _ seem to have convinced people to do something about Bangkok's noisy bars, construction sites and whistle-blowing security guards. Initially consisting of a small group of artists, academics, and journalists _ both Thai and foreign _ Quiet Bangkok has expanded with new members who want make Bangkok more liveable.
Their main strategies are to convince citizens to take matters in their own hands, to engage both noise-makers and authorities in a civil manner, and to communicate with the public through the media. Their ultimate goal is, with small achievements as stepping stones, to convince more people and authorities to make noise pollution a priority.
Since 2003, campaigns have been launched to raise levels of noise awareness among city residents. The group has organised tours to quiet cafes, gardens and temples around Bangkok.
Meanwhile, armed with a professional noise metre, they have measured decibel levels at noisy locations such as Siam Square and BTS stations and have published reports both in English and Thai newspapers so people can avoid these places.
In tackling construction noise, they joined up with Ratchadamri Road residents, with support from the BMA's Pathumwan District, and successfully negotiated with contractors in the area to limit construction hours at night and early in the morning. Most recently, they launched the ``Whistle-Free Zone Campaign'' to encourage building owners to reduce the use of whistles for traffic control.
Their polite letters to major building owners and groups including Amarin Plaza, Gaysorn, the Mall Group, Central Group, Time Square, Chamchuri Square as well as Property Care Services (security personnel providers) were met with very positive responses, and many have started to use light batons instead of whistles.
Through positive engagement and modest goals achieved, their partners now include businesses, residents and media organisations with greater noise awareness and a desire to address the issue. This is reflected in the membership of the Quiet Bangkok Yahoo group and Facebook pages ``Quiet Bangkok'' and ``Whistle-Free Zone'', now with nearly 400 members.
In addition, authorities such as the BMA and the Pollution Control Department have recognised and supported their efforts. In time, it is hoped they will become more assertive in their roles.
A recent development in terms of Bangkok's noise sources is the red shirts' loudspeakers, especially those along Ratchadamri Road, from the Police Hospital to Chulalongkorn Hospital. Those who are most seriously affected are the inpatients.
Like other noise sources, the red shirts will not go away because the authorities tell them to, and the use of force will not end the problem.
So what to do with the 24-hour political rally that has replaced construction noise on Ratchadamri? As any confrontation will certainly be met with more confrontation and animosity, only peaceful negotiations with all parties will find listening ears.
Oraya Sutabutr is member of Quiet Bangkok and a lecturer at the English Department, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University.
source: http://www.bangkokpost.com
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