BANGKOK – Airports of Thailand (AoT) is mulling over the proposal to collect a special fee from passengers and airlines using Suvarnabhumi airport to compensate residents affected by aircraft noise.
According to a report in the Bangkok Post, the AoT board, led by assistant army chief Saprang Kalayanamitr, came up with this idea as a similar practice is currently used in Japan and Australia, where a special fee is collected from those who cause the noise pollution.
Passengers and airline operators who use the airport would be charged the fee, said AoT board spokesman Chirmsak Pinthong.
AoT is tasked with studying the proposal’s details and to set a suitable rate before submitting its findings to the board before the end of next month. If approved, the proposal will be sent to the Transport Ministry, which will forward it for cabinet approval no later than November.
“The proposed special fee is collected in several countries. This is a good thing as it will create a good moral sense. This is fair and better than using taxpayer money or AoT coffers (to compensate affected residents).” said Chirmsak.
He maintained that AoT was willing to help all affected residents. The authority would follow a cabinet resolution and the AoT board’s resolution on compensation payments, he said.
