Could everyone please just pipe down?
Noise pollution has become the leading complaint among people living in Bangkok and a growing threat to people's physical and psychological health, experts and anti-noise campaigners concluded on Wednesday.
As many as one in five Thais may suffer some form of ear damage because of the high level of noise pollution, said Dr Pibul Isaraphan, an ear expert from the Ministry of Public Health. "Thailand is becoming the land of the deaf," he warned. "Most Thais who lose their hearing cells are not aware because many other people are suffering like them, so it has become a new standard. "The cells cannot be regenerated. Hearing impairment is something you don't notice until it's too late, and Thailand is facing a big problem." As many as 24 per cent of technical school students have impaired hearing, said Pibul. Nine out of 10 workers at some factories have hearing difficulties, while 50 per cent of pilots have the same problem. Noise levels on Bangkok roads were beyond safe limits and shopping malls and even public parks, are bombarded by noise from loudspeakers, Pibul said. "The situation is not getting better," said Somrudee Nicro, director of the urbanisation and environment programme at the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), where the meeting of anti-noise campaigners took place. Bangkok's streets and shopping malls often exceed the safe noise level of 70 decibels and while most countries in Europe have an action plan, the Kingdom still has none despite the growing danger, said Somrudee. The TEI began its anti-noise programme three years ago but its budget this year is just Bt10 million. "We must make people aware that when they create noise, it's not just their business," Somrudee said. Somrudee, a member of the No Noise Club, said it was imperative to understand the cultural factor behind Thais' addiction to noise. The group's campaign is now concentrating on schools, shopping malls and discotheques. Its survey revealed that the average noise level in a Bangkok shopping mall is 77 decibels and can rise to 117. As for discotheques, despite new regulations, some are blasting out music at 140 decibels. "This is like putting your head next to a jet engine," Somrudee said. Panchalie Sathirasas, of the People Who Love Quiet Club the penalty for causing ear damage under Thai law was a ludicrous fine of Bt100. "Thousands of people can lose their hearing ability within hours," said Panchalie, who also branded caretaker Public Health Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan's introduction of loud aerobic music at public parks as "a crime". Pravit Rojanaphruk The Nation
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