The Department of Pollution Control is working with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to minimise noise levels near Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The agencies have agreed to jointly study measures to reduce noise levels in the area, mainly caused by trains, for fear His Majesty's health would be adversely affected, the department's chief Supat Wangwongwatana said at a press conference yesterday.

The project is part of the department's activities to commemorate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday this year.

The Pollution Control staff have been gauging and recording noise levels in front of the palace and the community nearby, which is situated near the railway, to come up with ways to reduce the noise.

The noise level safety standard should not be more than 70 A-weighted decibels on average over a 24-hour period, according to the department.

One suggestion has been to build a wall to block out the noise. However, that would be costly. The department is therefore looking into ways of containing the noise at its source, perhaps by better maintenance of train engines, Mr Supat said.

''We have received good cooperation from the SRT. The project was initiated not only for the King, but also for the community nearby the railway station,'' he said.

He said the initiative was a pilot project on limiting railway noise, which would be launched in other affected areas.

Hua Hin's noise pollution alleviation project is also in line with the Office of Tourism Development's goal to promote the resort town as a world-class tourism destination.

A nice and quiet environment is the key element to achieving this goal, said Thanitta Maneechote, the office's chief. Bangkok Post