Thai soldiers 'losing battle of the bulge'

Government officials are worried that Thailand's troops are losing their battle against bulging waistlines.

Defence minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said the troops "don't run and don't exercise".

According to reports, Mr Yongchaiyudh made the comments after an inspection of air force troops.

He said: "Fat soldiers are unacceptable."

Colonel Phalangoon Kraharn, deputy spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said Chavalit is concerned the overweight troops do not look smart in their tight uniforms.

The armed forces require soldiers to pass a fitness test and inspection every six months. Chavalit wants the rule to be more strictly enforced, Phalangoon said.

Failure of the test does not lead to expulsion from the armed forces but is viewed as a black mark on a soldier's record.

Chavalit, a former army chief, is doing annual inspections of the three armed forces.