Irish glamour model, 19, faces a year in a hellhole Thai jail for raking in thousands from half-naked photos promoting illegal gambling websites
AN Irish glamour model faces up to a year in a Thai jail after she was charged with making thousands from saucy pictures which promoted illegal gambling.
Jessie Vard, 19, from Donegal, moved to Bangkok when she was a child and has amassed millions of fans since becoming a model.
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Jessie Vard would pose in sexy pictures to advertise illegal gambling websites
Credit: Viral Press
But she ended up in court after posing half-naked for a number of promotions for gambling sites which are banned in the country.
In the sexy snaps, she can be seen holding up her iPhone which clearly displays a website where people can gamble.
Some of the models earn the equivalent of tens of thousands of pounds a month for the racy adverts.
But Thai authorities announced they would be cracking down on the promotions before and during the World Cup.
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The teenager has millions of fans after becoming a glamour model
Credit: Viral Press
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The 19-year-old, originally from Ireland, would hold up her mobile phone to advertise the website
Credit: Viral Press
Jessie was among 15 models, known as “net pretties”, who were named in warrants summoning them to appear at court.
On Tuesday, the model and four other girls turned themselves in at Bangkok’s Phayathai Police Station.
She confessed to violating anti-gambling laws, which carry a maximum penalty of a year in prison as well as a fine of 1,000 baht (£24).
Vard apologised publicly on behalf of the entire group of models who allegedly promoted the gambling sites.
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But she has now apologised for her mistake and faces one year in a Thai jail
Credit: Viral Press
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The model was one of 15 ‘net pretties’ who were charged
Credit: Viral Press
She said: ”I did not know that gambling sites were illegal. I apologise to everybody and accept my mistake.
“Please do not become involved with these sites.”
The other models charged were Paradee Koosinsap, 21, Saitarn Yim-ampai, 20, Nirada Kuenongkun, 25, and Thanyakarn Lojin, 23.
They have all been released on bail and will be sentenced later this month.
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Thai authorities said they were going to clamp down on models who promote the illegal sites ahead of the World Cup
Credit: Instagram
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Jessie claimed that she did not know the sites were illegal
Credit: Instagram
Maj. Gen. Panurat Lakboon, deputy head of Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police, said 1,115 people have been arrested on charges related to online gambling since May 2 this year.
Bank accounts worth more than a million dollars had also been frozen as a result, he said.
Police General Chalermkeate Sriworakhan, Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, added: ”Net idols or pretties who have online followers are not allowed to post anything gambling related or suggestive to gamble activities.
”Fifteen net idols are included in warrant calls for posting gambling suggestive posts on social media, including the infamous Miss Jessy Vard.
”During the World Cup there will be heavier patrols to check on pubs and bars near schools and community areas.
“Please enjoy the sports but don’t be involved in gambling.”
Despite being illegal, the gambling industry – including sports betting, casinos, lotteries and cards dens – makes up the equivalent of billions of pounds each year in the country’s underground economy.
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