Theera vows to end impasse
Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen promised to end an impasse between landowners and Suvarnabhumi Airport over compensation for excessive noise pollution.
The landowners protested on Saturday at the tardiness of Airports of Thailand (AOT) in paying compensation. Theera will ask the policy committee for Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports to look into the matter. The committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, will meet on May 22. AOT interim managing director Kallaya Pakakong admitted it had been slow to purchase property from residents. There are differences over prices. AOT wants to depreciate the properties but owners want them assessed by replacement value. The AOT will ask the committee to direct it over which properties to purchase. The number of homes allegedly affected by noise from the new airport has spiralled from an estimated 100 to 27,000 in the latest Cabinet resolution. Kallaya said AOT would be responsible for compensation but proposed that the Cabinet initially allocate money for the payments because the cost of compensation would be "enormous". She would seek the prime minister's recommendations on compensation levels and "justice for all parties". Property owners will be given purchase contracts this month totalling Bt60 million, Kalaya said.
Hassaya Chartmontri The Nation
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