George woman’s possible transfer to Bangkok prison could open door to parole

A possible move to a larger prison in Bangkok in September could bring George woman Ashley Oosthuizen one step closer to freedom, and her family are hoping the transfer will allow her to apply for parole, reports Geroge Herald.

Oosthuizen (27) has been serving a prison sentence in Thailand since her arrest in October 2020 and is currently being held at Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison.

According to her mother, Lynn Blignaut, Oosthuizen has applied to be transferred to the larger Bangkok facility.

The family is now hoping the move will open the door to a parole application. To qualify for parole, Oosthuizen needs Thai sponsors (Thai citizens with property such as land or a house), and a pastor and his wife have agreed to assist her.

According to Blignaut, prisons across Thailand have until September to submit nominations for parole, after which the relevant headquarters will decide who is granted it. If Oosthuizen is not considered this time, there could reportedly be another opportunity to apply in February.

Oosthuizen was arrested on October 8, 2020 at the restaurant where she worked after signing for a parcel containing drugs. The package was reportedly addressed to someone else, and Oosthuizen has maintained that she did not know what it contained.

She was initially convicted on charges linked to international drug trafficking and received a lengthy sentence.

Following several stages of legal proceedings, including an initial sentence of 100 years and a later sentence of 33 years and four months on appeal, the supreme court’s final ruling on March 27, 2025 reduced her sentence to 13 years and four months. Her conviction was also changed from international drug trafficking to possession of drugs.

Her sentence was subsequently reduced through royal pardons.

Under the 2025 Royal Pardon, her sentence was reduced to 11 years and six months. The latest one, announced on June 3, reduced it by a further one year and seven months to nine years and 11 months.

Taking the time already served into account, Oosthuizen’s remaining sentence was estimated at about four years, three months and four days following the latest reduction.

Blignaut said the family’s hope rests with God, and that Oosthuizen has asked people to pray that she will be able to come home soon. 

“We are thankful for every reduction and every small step forward,” Blignaut said. “It has been a long and painful journey, but we continue to trust that things are moving in the right direction for Ashley. We are grateful for the support and prayers we have received.”

Oosthuizen is currently the first Westerner to be held at Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison, where she has spent much of her sentence.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.