Exercises

Weighty issue

The Thai police force is trying hard to set a new image for themselves by getting their men into tip-top shape. But for two traffic cops, trimming their waistlines is easier said than done.

Read the story from the Bangkok Post to find out more about this new scheme.

According to the Metropolitan Police Bureau's recent staff health check, officer Samroeng Saengthong from Bang Sue police station is the most obese city traffic policeman, weighing around 114 kilogrammes. He is closely followed by fellow Bang Sue officer Chairat Inplalam, who weighs 105 kilogrammes.

Samroeng and Chairat believe that it's too late for men like them to get a flatter tummy. But along with nearly 300 other overweight officers, they have been told that they have to lose weight in eight weeks or risk being transferred to dull desk jobs.

THINNING THE FORCE

The idea for policemen to slim down came from deputy commissioner Panu Kerlappol, who said that he couldn't stand the sight of pot-bellied police. Panu believes that overweight officers are an eyesore and that they contrast too sharply with the image of a fit police force.

WEIGHING THE OPTIONS

Under the Wow Police weight-loss programme, chubby officers undergo exercise classes with trainers at fitness centres around the city. They have to lose five kilogrammes in eight weeks to pass the test. The officer who loses the most weight will be rewarded, while those who fail to lose the minimum amount of weight will put their jobs in jeopardy.

"If they fail, we have no option but to transfer them to desk jobs," Panu said.

NO BIG DEAL

Although he will have to take part in the programme, Samroeng believes that being overweight is no big deal.

"Being large has absolutely no effect on my job. There are many younger traffic policeman who don't work as well as I do," he said.

Having worked as a traffic policeman for more than 20 years, the thought of a desk job with lots of paperwork makes Samroeng feel uncomfortable.

"I don't know if I can lose weight or not, but I will try my best," he said.

Exercises

Read the story. Then, answer the following reading comprehension questions.

1. What will happen to police officers that can't lose the required weight?
2. How many kilogrammes must officers lose in order to pass the test?
3. Why did Panu Kerlappol come up with the idea for policemen to lose weight?
4. What does Samroeng think about being fat?

	trim (v): to make something neater, smaller, better, etc., by cutting parts from it scheme (n): a plan or system for doing or organising something obese (adj): very fat, in a way that is not healthy pot-bellied (adj): having a large stomach that sticks out eyesore (n): something that is unpleasant to look at chubby (adj): slightly fat in a way that people usually find attractive

IDIOM
in jeopardy: in a dangerous position or situation and likely to be lost or harmed