The Odd Truth: June 22, 2005

The Odd Truth is a collection of strange but factual news stories from around the world compiled by CBSNews.com's Meredith Stoffel.

Cops Must Trim Down

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thai policemen with waistlines larger than 40 inches have been ordered to reduce their weight in order to look good when they direct traffic, the police department announced.

Recent medical examinations of 4,150 police officers in Bangkok found that 49 percent have high cholesterol and are overweight, which is "an obstacle" in directing traffic, said a statement from the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Eighty-eight of the overweight officers whose waistlines ranged between 40 and 49 inches were ordered to join the "Smart Police," a one-month weight-loss program.

Participants will have to eat according to doctors' instructions and meet for daily exercise and evening meals at the Bangkok hospital sponsoring the program.

Those who do not show progress will also undergo acupuncture, a Chinese medical practice believed to help cure many ills, including obesity.

"We hope this will help create a better image of traffic police in the public's eyes," said police Maj. Gen. Montri Chamroon, explaining why the police force wants them to "look smart."

It was not announced what would be done with officers who failed to reduce their girth.

Man Falls Asleep During DWI Arrest

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A man arrested after a traffic stop fell asleep before an officer arrived to administer a field sobriety test. But authorities say James Lovato, 50, had been through it before — it was his 18th arrest on a charge of drunken driving.

The DWI Resource Center, which tracks drunken driving convictions back to 1984, said Lovato has been convicted at least eight times. State records show his first arrest was in 1977. In addition, a criminal complaint against him in the latest arrest said his license has been revoked seven times.

A breath test found his breath-alcohol level was 0.16 percent, twice the state's presumed level of intoxication.

Lovato was driving on a revoked license when police said they clocked him at 77 mph in a 65 mph zone.

A complaint filed in metropolitan court said police had to force Lovato's car to the side of the road to get him to stop. Police then noticed an open beer bottle near the driver's seat, and said Lovato's eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled of alcohol.

Police also said Lovato fell asleep by the time a DWI officer arrived to administer the sobriety test.

Man Shot In Tongue, Doesn't Know It

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- There's a good reason Wendell Coleman woke up with a splitting headache: he had been shot. Police in Jacksonville, Florida, report Coleman walked 12 blocks to a hospital the other day after waking up with a very bad headache. His lip was swollen, he appeared to have powder burns and he had trouble speaking. Doctors found a bullet in Coleman's tongue. He told police a woman stuck a gun barrel in his mouth during an argument late the night before. Coleman says he heard a gun go off, but then went home and went to sleep not realizing he had been shot. Police say they're looking for a suspect, but don't have much to go on.

End Of The Pork Queen?

DES MOINES, Iowa - Times are tough for the Pork Queen. It seems there aren't many young women who want the title. Now, pork industry officials in the hog heaven of Iowa are wondering if it's time to retire the queen. Iowa has crowned a Pork Queen every year since 1960. But last year there were only eleven contestants. One suggestion is to open the contest to men, too. Instead of being Pork Queen, the title would be Pork Ambassador. The Iowa Pork Producers Association, which sponsors the queen, is considering a contest makeover. Recommendations about the future of the Pork Queen will be presented at the association's annual meeting next January.

Attempt At Largest Ice Pop Melts

NEW YORK - Snapple's attempt at a new Guinness world record has ended in a sticky mess. The idea was to create a two-and-a-half-story, 20-ton ice pop in New York City's Union Square. But the so-called "ice scraper" turned out to be an ice-dud. So much of the ice pop melted en route that the protective covering sprang a leak and the kiwi-strawberry-flavored fluid poured onto the streets. Firefighters had to clean up the mess. The world-record-attempt event wasn't a total loss, however. Kids who gathered to watch got free ice pops from Snapple.

Nearly Nude Protest

WASHINGTON - Some demonstrators stripped to their skivvies outside the Spanish Embassy in Washington. They were protesting the annual running of the bulls in Pamplona. The activists from PETA -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals -- say the bull run is cruel to the big beasts. PETA is offering an alterative for daredevils, the "Running of the Nudes." PETA spokesman William Rivas-Rivas says as many as 600 people will dash through the streets of Pamplona naked July 5, the day before the bull run.