Local news

Don�t go bananas

Nutritionists warn about taking potassium

Golfers should think twice before eating lots of bananas to build up their energy levels during their game a government nutritionist warned on February 3. A high intake of potassium over a period of time can lead to kidney diseases and heart failure.

Department of Health nutritionist Sanga Damapong said that it is not true that eating bananas or potassium supplements helps golfers and other sportsmen to recover their strength and energy. In fact, the body�s system cannot absorb the mineral for immediate use, he said.

He also warned that those who suffer from kidney disease can have heart failure if they take potassium supplements.

End of the road

Police round up racers

Bangkok police rounded up about 250 teenagers who participated in illegal motorcycle races on Rama VI road on February 2. Police from the Phaya Thai station ended the weekly races on public roads by blocking Rama VI and other nearby roads with trucks and police motorcycles.

More than 100 of the racers arrested were under 18. Police spokesman Phusit Visetkhamin said that the parents of the young people might also be charged if it can be proved that they supported the illegal races.

[EASY NEWS FOR M1-3]

Hot times ahead

Weather department sends out warning

The Weather Department gave a warning. Summer will be very hot this year. It will start two months early.

In many parts of the country, there will be a high risk of fire.

Some parts of the country will not have enough water. Other parts of the country will have very bad storms.

A government official said that global warming is probably causing the problems.

Fantasy fashions

A group of young dancers in outfits made from recycled goods perform at MBK shopping centre on February 2. Contestants in the MBK Junior Dancercise Fantasy Re-Use contest hoped, to promote awareness of global warming.

	outfit (n): a set of clothes that you wear together, especially for a particular occasion or purpose awareness (n): knowing that something exists and is important; being interested in something intake (n): the amount of food, drink, etc. that you take into your body round up (phrasal v): if police or soldiers round up a group of people, they find them and arrest or capture them block (v): to stop something from moving down a road warning (n): a statement telling somebody that something bad may happen risk (n): the possibility of something bad happening global warming (n): the increase in the Earth�s temperature caused by certain gases