A new set of noise control regulations for Taipei are scheduled to take effect on Thursday next week, as the city government cracks down on late-night noise problems in a bid to improve residents’ quality of life.
Under the new regulations, people who sing karaoke at home or in establishments that are not registered as audiovisual and singing service providers between 10pm and 8am — as well as between 12pm and 2pm on weekends — could face a fine ranging from NT$3,000 to NT$30,000.
Renovation and construction work will also be prohibited during those periods of time, which are one hour longer than the original control period of 11pm to 8am.
In addition, noise control officials can now levy fines on violators without measuring the levels of noises they generate, while recidivists would be subject to consecutive fines.
Wu Sheng-chung (吳盛忠), director of Taipei City’s Department of Environmental Protection, said the department decided to amend the regulations governing the social behaviors and actions that disturbed public tranquility after it receiving complaints about the noise made by people singing karaoke in restaurants located in residential areas.
Wu said such establishments were previously categorized as business premises, which meant they could only be fined when they generated noise exceeding 55 decibels after 10pm.
Kenting National Park service technician Yang Jien-fon (楊政峰) won a silver award in World Grand Prix Photography Awards Spring Season for his photograph of two male rat snakes intertwined in combat. Yang’s colleagues at Kenting National Park said he is a master of nature photography who has been held back by his job in civil service. The awards accept entries in all four seasons across six categories: architectural and urban photography, black-and-white and fine art photography, commercial and fashion photography, documentary and people photography, nature and experimental photography, and mobile photography. Awards are ranked according to scores and divided into platinum, gold and
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