The moves relate to the type of aircraft that can use the airport, flight patterns and compensation for people affected by aircraft noise, the minister said.

Kasem also wants the Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to implement long-term measures to monitor health problems of residents near the airport and to install noise-measuring equipment.

The minister spoke during a field trip yesterday to check on the noise problems that communities near the new airport have suffered.

He gave no further detail on the moves, saying only that they would be implemented by state agencies, once approved.

Kasem took the field trip with the ministry's permanent secretary Petipong Peungboon, the heads of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), and the director general of the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion. The team met with Somchai Swasdipol, director of Suvarnabhumi Airport and Civil Aviation Department director-general Chaisak Angsuwan, before finalising the moves.

In regard to flight patterns, PCD deputy director general Supat Wangwongwattana said all aircraft would be asked to reduce the power of jet engines when landing between 2am-6am once they are at 4,000 feet - instead of 2,000 feet as they currently do.

While visiting Moo Baan Ratchaphruek and Green Valley, Kasem was approached by about 30 residents who complained about aircraft noise. Some said they had to take sleeping pills every night.

Janjira Pongrai

The Nation