Noise compensation by Surayud govt endorsed

Three people lodged a complaint with the court against the Surayud Chulanont Cabinet which, they said, had not taken the issue far enough.

After Suvarnabhumi Airport had been open for some months, the Surayud Cabinet issued a resolution to provide remedial action for people complaining about noise pollution from the facilities.

Many residents said they were entitled to compensation.

The three complainants felt the Cabinet resolution had not gone far enough - failing to provide adequate protection and compensation. They complained, for example, that the compensation was not exempt from tax.

Consequently, they turned to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Yesterday the court ruled the Cabinet resolution was legitimate.

"The fact that the compensation is not exempt from tax is not a result of the Cabinet's decision. It's the Revenue Code that requires such compensation be taxed," the court announced yesterday.

Areeya Pormahathammakij, one complainant, said the current Cabinet was now the only channel for people like her to seek help.

Surayud was no longer the premier and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is the head of the government.

"We hope PM Abhisit will help us," Areeya said, "Previous administrations had not paid heed to our grievances."