National Human Rights Commission mediates complaints over Kamala mosque speaker noise

PHUKET: Assistant Professor Suchart Setthamalini of the National Human Rights Commission was in Phuket yesterday (July 27) as mediator with the hope of amicably resolving complaints over the volume of the speaker noise emanating from Kamala Mosque.

The complaints have centred on the noise from the mosque’s loudspeakers disturbing residents in the area, said a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).

Kamala Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), led by Jutha Dumlak, has yet to post a report about the meeting.

At the meeting room of the Kamala OrBorTor offices yesterday, Asst Prof Suchart heard first-hand complaints from residents, explaining that the volume of the loudspeakers of the Nurul Aiasan Mosque (Ban Naka) was too loud.

Present to hear the complaints were Kamala OrBorTor officials, the Tambon Kamnan (subdistrict chief), the village headman of Moo 6 Kamala, representatives from the mosque.

Asst Prof Suchart explained to all present that the goal was “to find a solution to the problem together”.

“Such complaints can be negotiated and an agreement can be reached. This is an open space for meetings to discuss and express opinions of each party, which previously may have misunderstandings,” he said.

“The National Human Rights Commission has come here to connect the two parties to have the same understanding, to find a settlement that both parties can agree on and can live together peacefully,” he added.

However, the report did not clarify whether an amicable solution was agreed on yesterday.

Sleep disturbances weaken the immune system and are the causes for various diseases. - Section 25 (4) of the Public Health ActB.E 2535 says noise nuisances are harmful to the health. - Announcement 29 of the National Environment Board B.E 2550 limits noise nuisances to 10 decibels 10 decibels above the natural noise in residential areas make de facto the LOUDSPEAKERS BANNED at NIGHT.

Noise nuisances are harmful to health. People suffering should petition the mayor of their sub-districts to enforce the Section 25 of the Public Health Act according to the Announcement 29 of the National Environment Board. Officials must not ignore the laws.

Loudspeakers did not exist when religions started and people used to practice religions for centuries without loudspeakers therefore it cannot be said that loudspeakers are required to practice a religion. Before the use of loudspeakers, there were no complaint about the adhan. Therefore, I think the problem is not the adhan, I think the problem is the loudspeaker only.

The solution is for religious adherants to keep their worship private and not annoy others, exp. at 4:45 am. Religion is for those that cannot control themselves and need fear or outlandish promises to behave.

If we could go back far enough I think we would discover that all religions started by one man claiming to be a "prophet" and all women are subservient to man. If "God" is a just god that would not be the case.

@Fascinated, you are right, discussion religions are useless. Just respect them. However, respect is a 2-way thing. Even when one likes to see Rawai as a muslim village, prayer mosques's calls can be more volume moderate. I have muslim friends who are annoyed by volume prayer call at 04:45 am. I also not see the need to hear the calls in Chalong with right wind direction.

Move to a Muslim village and complain about people expressing their religion? Sort of like the NIMBYs who move to a village and complain about the smell from the cows, or move near an airport and complain about the aircraft. Due diligence and just rent, NEVER buy are the best ways to counter this. Yes- the loudspeakers ARE annoying but they are a fact of life.

It is not the only mosque on Phuket that calls to prayer way too loud. I used to rent near Sai Yuan mosque and the volume of their speakers used to wake us every morning at ridiculous hours and disturb us constantly in the evenings. We ended up moving out because it was too disturbing. Only muslims want to hear it. Be considerate to others and turn it down. You know what time prayers are!

What nonsense is this all about? Mediation? Is in Thailand with her mountain of restrictive laws and permits for the most funny things no law that dictates how many decibel you are allowed to blare out publicly? Laughing, seeying the number of people around a table. Must take that serious?