Within sight of the countless vehicles that dot the vast parking lot of Chiang Mai International Airport, life thrums with the bustle of provincial Thai experience. But beneath the veneer of this urban vibrancy, the residents bear a burden. They hold a grievance against the Airport’s intention to function on a never-sleep schedule, a constant ebb and flow of aircraft presenting a wall of sound that interferes with their nocturnal peace.
This wave of dissent was aired publicly one sunny Sunday in the quaint communities neighboring the airport at tambon Mae Hia, within the affable precincts of Muang district, Chiang Mai. The hosts of this significant gathering were none other than Wg Cdr Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn, the esteemed Director of Chiang Mai Airport, and Thanawat Yodjai, the diligent head of the Mae Hia municipality.
The crux of the discussion revolved around the airport’s ambitious plan of 24-hour operation, touted to kick-start as early as November 1. The proposal, unsurprisingly, met with a firm backlash from the preponderance of those present, revealing the collective fear and anxiety of a people distressed by the effects of current flight schedules.
From dawn through to dusk and late into the night, the steady thrum of engines, the relentless drone of aircraft lifting and touching down, these relentless intrusions have already compromised their sleep and shaken the tranquil order of their homes. One can only imagine the ceiling tiles in their thached homes trembling, not due to any natural calamity, but the unremitting vibrations from the planes. The thought of this discomfort intensifying with round-the-clock airport operation seemed a torment too harsh to bear.
Moreover, the lamentation was not merely about mere discomfort. The residents have already tasted the bitter pill of unrecompensed damages and strongly voiced their fears about being forced to swallow more of the same.
Yet, the Airport Authority’s perspective was clear – extension of operational hours was necessary to accommodate the burgeoning air traffic that the province was witnessing, especially considering the revival of the tourism sector post-pandemic and the impending influx with the start of the tourist season the following month.
Delving into the numbers, Wg Cdr Ronnakorn shed light on the fact that the airport was managing about 150 flights every day, a hefty number indeed, with 115 of these being domestic, the rest international. The new schedule would mean even the early hours, typically deserted, would reverberate with the bustle of incoming and outbound flights.
Yet, despite the clear operational advantage, Wg Cdr Ronnakorn reassured the residents that their concerns would not fall on deaf ears. Insights gathered during the public hearing would serve as crucial input for the airport’s executive team, helping them make sensitive, informed decisions.
The discourse on this contentious issue was far from over—with a new public hearing in line to take place in tambon Suthep, home to another group of residents living in close proximity to Chiang Mai International Airport. It’s evident that this is one journey that’s just gaining altitude.
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