A South African woman imprisoned in Thailand for drug offences after signing for a parcel at work unaware that it contained drugs has had her sentence reduced by 20 years, offering her family renewed hope for a royal pardon.

Ashley Oosthuizen, 26, from the city of George in the Western Cape province, had her sentence reduced from 33.4 years to 13.4 years after Thai authorities downgraded her charges from international drug smuggling to possession on 30th April.

This development has raised the possibility of a royal pardon as early as July, pending the completion of final court documentation.

Oosthuizen was arrested in 2020 after unknowingly signing for a parcel containing drugs at her workplace.

Despite her protests of innocence, she was held accountable for the contents and received a lengthy prison term.

Ashley Oosthuizen poses in undated photo. The 26-year-old South African woman's sentence has been reduced in Thailand on Mar.27, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (A voice for Ashley Oosthuizen /Newsflash/NX)

Her former boyfriend, Tristan Nettles, later confessed on social media to his involvement in a drug ring, asserting that Oosthuizen had no knowledge of his illegal activities.

Oosthuizen's mother, Lynn Blignaut, who relocated to Thailand in 2022 to support her daughter, has been actively campaigning for her release through the "A Voice for Ashley Oosthuizen" social media platforms.

In a significant moment, Lynn was able to hug her daughter for the first time in six years during a prison visit in January 2025.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)