DUP / BMA tells Khao San bars to keep the noise down

City Hall has told businesses along Khao San Road to lower their noise levels within 15 days after receiving complaints from neighbouring areas about noise pollution.

Pol Gen Adis Ngamchitsuksri, an adviser to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt on city and tourism management, led a discussion on noise problems along the popular tourist street yesterday.

Present at the discussion were the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Phra Nakhon district administration, and the Khaosan Road Business Association.

Residents from neighbouring areas and 30 business owners from Khao San Road also attended the discussion.

According to deputy clerk Suksan Kittisupakorn, business owners, especially the owners of restaurants and nightclubs, have agreed to apply noise control measures for the sake of locals, which were expected to be fully implemented within 15 days.

These include all restaurants and nightclubs along the thoroughfare adopting some level of soundproofing to keep noise pollution levels outside their buildings down.

Businesses are also called upon to limit noise volume inside buildings to no more than 110 dBA (A-weighted sound levels) and refrain from constantly playing or performing loud music for customers.

They were told constant loud music can harm people's hearing and can disrupt the area's peace.

Businesses were also required not to place speakers outside their buildings, while sound level meters which show clear noise level readings are required.

Mr Suksan said any business that does not comply with the measures will face legal action following an agreement between City Hall and the Khaosan Road Business Association.

A survey on Monday showed that 30 out of 47 buildings on Khao San Road had speakers on their premises or 240 speakers in total.

Of the speakers examined, most of them were said to have at least 1,000 watts of power, while two had more than 3,000 watts, the survey showed.