Sathon's district chief has denied reports local authorities cut short a ngiew (Chinese opera) performance following several complaints about the noise from residents of a nearby condominium.
The incident surfaced in comments posted by Facebook user, Charlie Lew.
He said the annual Chinese opera performance was held on Wednesday evening to mark the establishment of a local shrine near the condo building on Soi 14 on Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road.
"However, the troupe's performance was cut short after police arrived and shut down the event, citing complaints about the noise from residents," Mr Lew wrote, before adding that performances had been staged there every year for about 40 years before the condominium was built a few years ago.
News of the curtain allegedly being brought down divided netizens on social media -- with some saying that "newcomers" to the neighbourhood should accept cultural activities that have been taking place in the area for decades, while others called on the performers to keep the noise to a minimum so as to not disturb nearby residents. The show was shut down with only moments left to go.
Laksika Piyasunthornsap, the head of the Chinese opera troupe, said the local community and Sathon district authorities are always informed about any planned performances at the shrine.
"We have always tried our best to cooperate by keeping noise to a minimum in the past few years when residents began moving into the building," she said.
She admitted there had been "some complaints" during that time, but she insisted the annual performance will continue.
Meanwhile, the manager of the condo in question said no complaints had been filed with district authorities.
Kanpasit Prommee insisted the condo has been always been on good terms with those who manage the local shrine.
Sathon district chief, Chuleeporn Wongpipat, confirmed the complaint was filed by someone who did not live at the condo.
"The shrine always complies when the district asks it to keep the noise down," Ms Chuleeporn said, before insisting that the district did not order the performance cut short.
"We want the community to live side-by-side in harmony," she said.
Suchart Wannachotesap, caretaker of the shrine, said that while the performance last night was the final one for now, the troupe has agreed to use just one speaker and perform only from 7-10pm.