From our own correspondent: Bangkok

It's not just the UK that's suffering from unrestrained aviation growth: local residents in Bangkok are up in arms over growing aircraft noise.

In response to complaints from residents, representatives of the Transport Ministry, Airports of Thailand (AoT), the Lawyers Council of Thailand and local homeowners have formed a committee to discuss ways to tackle the growing problems with the airport. Despite warm words, residents have complained that the AoT, who own Bangkok airport, have been desperately trying to evade responsibility.

In the last meeting, airport director Serirat Prasutanond representing AoT claimed that he did not have authority to act on the requests of the residents. Following this, Prasert Boonkaew, a representative of noise pollution complainants to the committee, threatened to withdraw from the committee and focus instead on mass demonstrations.

The residents tried legal measures to reduce the noise impact, but their petition to ban night flights was recently rejected by a Thai court. 166 flights a day take off or land between 10pm and 5am, mostly to and from international destination. The court rejected the residents plea as "It will affect Thailand's global aviation commitment" and could trigger retaliation from airliners and travellers...