An aerobics group accused of annoying nearby residents with their loud music and told to use another park on Wednesday asked the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to let them continue exercising in Santhiphap Park.
About 15 parkgoers who regularly take part in the large evening aerobics session at the park in Ratchathewi district petitioned BMA governor Aswin Kwanmuang to countermand the district chief's order and officially allow them to stay where they are.
They also asked for assistance from City Hall to resolve the noise level issue.
The petition was filed through one of the governor's secretaries.
Ratchathewi district chief Theerayuth Phummisak, in a letter dated Oct 22, ordered them to move their exercise activity from Santhiphap Park to Ratchathewi Bhirom Park, or one of two other parks, by Nov 1.
Copies of the order posted in the park were shown on the Facebook page of Ampantita Didtako, who regularly exercises at Santhiphap Park.
Media reports said a doctor had filed a complaint with the district office about the noise level of the music during the aerobic programme, which is from 6-7pm.
The name of the complainant was not disclosed, but the district chief did not deny the reports. (continues below)
A visitor takes pictures of the order signed by the Ratchathewi district to end an aerobic programme at Santhiphap Park. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The noise complaint follows a similar incident involving the sound of the early morning bell at Wat Sai, which annoyed a resident of the luxury Star View Rama 3 twin towers condo in Bang Kholaem district. The temple abbot agreed the monks would strike the bell more softly in future, after the BMA intervened.
However, Bang Kholaem district office was criticised by the public for favouring condo residents at the expense of religious tradition at the centuries-old Buddhist temple.
City Hall was also criticised on social media after the letter ordering an end to the aerobic exercise sessions was posted at Santhiphap Park, and deputy governor Thaweesak Lertprapan verbally overruled the district order, allowing the sessions to continue in the park.
But Natthaya Chapsornthip, who leads the group's representatives, said the deputy governor's action did not ease their worry. It was only verbal, not a written instruction superseding the district letter.
Ratchathewi Bhirom was far away from where the group exercises at present, and getting there involved transport and safety problems, she said.
The group also asked City Hall to send officials to help them fix the noise problem.
Thassanee Uttasilp said the speakers and sound equipment were brought by the aerobic exercisers themselves, and they had no idea on how to keep the noise level within the limit regulated by City Hall.
Santhiphap Park hosts an aerobic exercise session every evening from 6-7pm, with about 300 people regularly attending.