Former actress 'Amy' ordained as nun in wake of drug trial

Amelia "Amy" Jacobs, left, is ordained as nun in Prachin Buri province on Thursday morning. (Police News photo)

Former actress and Miss Teen Thailand Amelia "Amy" Jacobs was ordained as a nun in Prachin Buri province on Thursday after being released from prison last month following sentencing in a court case for drug abuse.

Lawyer Sittra Bia-bangkerd was quoted in news reports saying his client was ordained at a Buddhist temple on Thursday morning. He did not name the temple.

Her ordination was intended to show her regret for having caused sorrow and trouble for her family. Amy wanted to share the merits of her ordination with people who had both good and ill intentions towards her, Mr Sittra said. She had not decided how long she would stay in the order.

Amelia, who was Miss Teen Thailand 2006 and played the lead role in the popular TV Channel 7 drama "Thida Wanorn" (Monkey Daughter), was sentenced by the Min Buri Court late last month to a prison term of three months, suspended for two years, and fined 5,000 baht for using illicit drugs. She had spent 11 months in custody awaiting the trial.

The 29-year-old Thai-Dutch woman and her 41-year-old boyfriend Punyawat Hirantecha were arrested at a house in Sai Mai district, Bangkok, in September last year with 70 grammes of crystal meth, 16 ecstasy pills, scales and drug use paraphernalia.

The court found her guilty only of drug abuse, but sentenced her boyfriend to 25 years in jail for possession and sale of illicit drugs. Amelia was acquitted of possession with intent to sell.

On Wednesday, lawyer Atchariya Ruangrattanapong filed a complaint with Bangkok police alleging 13 people had helped her escape the charge of possession for sale.

Pol Col Krisana Patanacharoen, deputy police spokesman, said on Thursday afternoon that the Metropolitan Police Bureau was investigating Mr Atchariya's complaint.

He also said that about 170 policemen were dismissed for manipulating drug cases to help suspects over the past three years.