U.S. PAIR DESECRATES BUDDHA.(Main)

Byline: Associated Press

An American photographer and a model who posed in her underwear while sitting on a Buddha could be sentenced to a maximum of seven years in prison after they were arrested on charges of desecrating a statue, police said today.

Hometowns of the photographer, 33-year-old Sante Maria D'Razzio of New Jersey, and the model, 23-year-old Kara Ruth Young of California, were not available, said police Lt. Amnuey Kraiwuttianant.

D'Razzio was photographing the model for the French magazine Vogue when local people who were worshiping at the temple complained to police, the officer said.

The Americans were arrested Sunday after the picture- taking session inside Chung Len Buddhist temple in the southern island resort of Phuket, Amnuey said.

When authorities arrived, they found Young sitting in a car in her underwear, and they seized an instant photograph taken of her sitting on the statue, the officer said.

The pair said they did not know they were breaking the law, Amnuey said. Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country.

U.S. PAIR DESECRATES BUDDHA.(Main)

Byline: Associated Press

An American photographer and a model who posed in her underwear while sitting on a Buddha could be sentenced to a maximum of seven years in prison after they were arrested on charges of desecrating a statue, police said today.

Hometowns of the photographer, 33-year-old Sante Maria D'Razzio of New Jersey, and the model, 23-year-old Kara Ruth Young of California, were not available, said police Lt. Amnuey Kraiwuttianant.

D'Razzio was photographing the model for the French magazine Vogue when local …