Ashley's appeal to be heard in Thai high court

Update

GEORGE NEWS - There might be light at the end of the tunnel for young Ashley Oosthuizen (24), who is serving a sentence of 33 years in a Thai jail. Oosthuizen went to Thailand in 2018 after she matriculated from Outeniqua High School.

The application to appeal Oosthuizen's sentence for drug trafficking will be heard in the Supreme Court in Thailand. However, this might take some time.

Oosthuizen has been in jail in Thailand since her arrest in 2020. She was found guilty of drug dealing in 2021 after she accepted a package containing ecstasy from a delivery man at the restaurant where she was working in October 2020 - allegedly on behalf of someone else.

Oosthuizen maintains that she was unaware of the contents of the package.

She was initially told she would be sentenced to death, but upon sentencing in August that year, she received life imprisonment. This sentence was appealed in August 2022 and it was reduced to 33 years - a sentence that they appealed again.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison where Oosthuizen is currently in custody.

However, the procedure to appeal a sentence in Thailand is very difficult and lengthy. Firstly the applicant needs to petition the court to have their case heard - this can take up to a year or longer. If the petition is denied, the road ends. If the petition is accepted, it may take up to two years to receive a court date. The appeal is submitted along with the petition.

"Another round conquered by the grace of God alone. We are grateful that something positive like this happened," said Oosthuizen's mother, Lynn Blignaut.

Blignaut has settled in Thailand after selling her business in George to be closer to her daughter. She has also taught herself to speak and write some Thai.

"We know everything happens according to the Lord's timing and we have never doubted Him," she said. "I will stay here in Thailand for as long as I can. I'm already establishing myself here."

Unfortunately, however grateful she is for everyone who wants to help, Blignaut says that the visitation rules are very strict there. No packages are allowed and only family members are allowed to visit.

"You can't just arrive and request a visit with Ashley, unfortunately it doesn't work that way here," she said.

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