Chiang Mai Police Commander Maj-General Jirut Prommobon said he had asked officers to join the training on a voluntary basis and urged them to proceed slowly with the programme, which requires a physical test every six months.

Jirut said Insom reportedly joined the programme voluntarily and had run only 600 metres of the two-kilometre session before collapsing.

He said that as Insom had died on duty, he could be considered for a posthumous promotion.

A source said a number of officers were unhappy about being asked to take the tests without any preparation. But they had not voiced their opinions publicly.

Insom's wife Pensri Kamla, 44, said Insom was generally in good health, but their daughter had told her he suffered from high blood pressure. "I am deeply saddened by his death. He was a good man who was also the family's main breadwinner," she said.

His sister Rattikan Phrommee, 49, said Insom was overweight and suffered from high blood pressure and gout and the vigorous exercise may have put too much pressure on his heart. She said she did not blame anyone for his death, as Insom had volunteered for the programme.

Colleague Pol Senior Sgt-Major Tossapol Petchthai said Insom appeared to be in normal health before he collapsed and had even joked with him before the session.

"When he collapsed, I thought it was just tiredness due to his age. I was shocked to learn of his death," Tossapol said.

He urged that in future officers undergo a medical test prior to training in order to ascertain what kind of exercise they should undertake and at what level of intensity - especially older participants. He also suggested that a standby emergency unit should be on hand.

The Nation

Chiang Mai