A 22-year-old "former gangster" has signed a contract to play a role in a soap opera about his life.
Nakkarin "Ne Wat Dao" Poomranard, who was a member of the infamous Oros gang that was allegedly involved in drugs and violence, was approached by Tawan Jarujinda, an actor-turned-producer at Mongkol Lakorn, a series production and distribution company under Sahamongkol Film International Co Ltd.
"The soap will depict Mr Nakkarin's life when he became a gangster and when he turned over a new leaf," Mr Tawan said. "We should give a chance to people who had done wrong but have corrected themselves."
He said the soap will give young people new perceptions about being a gangster.
Ne Wat Dao, the man who popularised the word "fai" - Thai slang for fight - became known to the public after he uploaded several videos of himself talking about conflicts between him and other gang members.
After the video clips went viral, Ne Wat Dao made several television appearances and said that he had repented and turned his back on being a gangster.
Police apprehended many key figures of the Oros gang, including its leader, Patchawat "Tee Oros" Boonmar in January this year in Thon Buri, Nonthaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan after members of the group posted videos of some of them abusing drugs.
Large quantities of illegal drugs and weapons were seized during the arrests.
