Weighty problem

Amnuayporn Thongprapai, weighing almost 275kg, greets members of the public after she is lifted from her third-floor apartment in Kannayao district by an elevator. APICHART JINAKUL Getting 40-year-old Amnuayporn Thongprapai from her third floor room to hospital was not just a matter of calling an ambulance

It took a special hydraulic elevator, a large pallet on wheels and the dismantling of her room’s balcony.You see, Ms Amnuayporn weighs almost 275kg and she can’t walk. In fact, before yesterday, she hadn’t left her room in three years.

She was badly in need of help. According to Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who was present during the transfer, she has high blood pressure in addition to her weight problems, two cysts on one leg and bedsores.Doctors believe her condition was caused by an abnormal function of the thyroid gland.Deputy Bangkok Governor Malinee Sukhavetchavorakij said a team of doctors headed by the BMA General Hospital director would care for Ms Amnuayporn.

Her hospital stay is expected to last for one year and will be paid for by City Hall.

Ms Amnuayporn used to earn a living doing laundry and selling food at her apartment, where she lives in Bangkok’s Kannayao district with a relative's children, Sathaporn Charoensap,15, and his younger brother Sakulsak, 14.

The boys study in Mathayom Suksa1 (Grade 7) at a local school.She suffered pains three years ago which forced her to stop selling food and offering the laundry service.

Her weight increased sharply to almost 275kg, making her virtually immobile. With little income, she has ended up four months behind in her rent.

The governor said he had asked Kannayao district office to provide welfare to the woman and the boys. The district had issued a welfare card to Ms Amnuayporn and would provide a scholarship for the two boys in her care.

Adapted from a story in today’s Bangkok Post.Study the photo carefully because it will help you with some of the vocabulary.

ambulance – a vehicle for taking people to hospital รถพยาบาล hydraulic – using the pressure of water or oil to make something work ซึ่งใช้น้ำในการขับเคลื่อน

elevator – a lift; a machine that carries people or things up or down between different levels of a tall building ลิฟต์

pallet – a flat wooden or metal surface used for moving or storing heavy goods แท่นวางสินค้าสำหรับลากเก็บหรือลำเลียง

dismantle – to take something apart รื้อ

balcony – a place where you can stand just outside an upper window. It sticks out from the wall of a building ระเบียง

transfer – moving someone or something from one place, vehicle, person or group to another การย้าย

blood pressure – the pressure at which blood flows from your heart around your body ความดันโลหิต,ความดันของเลือดที่มีต่อผนังภายในเส้นเลือด

cyst – a lump containing liquid that grows under your skin or inside your body ถุง,ถุงน้ำ bedsore – a red painful area on your skin that you get from lying in one position in bed for a long time แผลกดทับ

abnormal – not usual or typical ผิดปกติ ไม่ธรรมดา

function – something that happens in your body, or something that a part of your body does การทำงาน

thyroid gland – an organ in your neck that produces substances that your body needs in order to control your behaviour and the way that your body grows ต่อมไทรอยด์

City Hall – the city government; the council members and officials who manage a city สถานที่ราชการส่วนท้องถิ่น, กรุงเทพมหานคร

laundry – washing clothes, sheets, etc. for customers กิจกรรมซักรีดเสื้อผ้า

sharply – suddenly and by a large amount อย่างเร็ว virtually - almost เกือบจะ

immobile – unable to move or walk ที่ไม่สามารถเคลื่อนที่ได้

rent – paying money for the use of something for a period of time ค่าเช่า

welfare – help given, especially by the state or an organization, to people who need it; good care and living conditions สวัสดิภาพ

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:44 AM

comment: I think it's not good.