News
South Africa’s Ambassador Visits Thai Jail
Domedej Bunnag Ambassador of Thailand and Mr Douglas Gibson South African Ambassador to Thailand. Picture: Herbert Matimba
South Africa’s ambassador to Thailand, Douglas Gibson, visited 12 South African drug mules imprisoned in Thai jails last week, stopping to talk to each one and giving them a gift of chocolates.
“I just went there to talk to them for a few minutes. I try not to be judgmental and not to be concerned with whether they are guilty or not. I just think they need someone from home to talk to,” Gibson said.
Gibson’s annual Christmas ritual, was made without his wife Pam this time around.
One of those visited was 23-year-old drug mule Nolubabalo Nobanda, who was recently arrested after being found with drugs in her dreadlocks.
Gibson said he had spent about 10 minutes with Nobanda, who was arrested for trying to smuggle 1.5kg of cocaine into Thailand.
“Unfortunately I cannot tell you anything because she has asked that we do not divulge any more information to the media. She feels that there has been enough media attention on her case already,” he said yesterday when asked about Nobanda’s condition.
But Gibson revealed that he had compiled a report that had been sent to the family and to the South African authorities in Pretoria.
Eleven of the 12 South Africans in Thai jails are women and three of the four awaiting trial prisoners were arrested on drug related charges.
