In letters, shown to Sapa, Nobanda has written to her family revealing critical information of how she landed up in Thailand.

Nobanda also wrote that she would not be charged by Bangkok authorities for the baking powder which was found mixed with the cocaine, when she was arrested.

Nobanda was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport after getting off a Qatar Airways flight. Police said they noticed a white substance in her hair. They found 1.5kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $150000 (R1.2-million) in her dreadlocks. She admitted to authorities she smuggled the drugs and said she was hired to deliver the cocaine to a customer at a hotel in Bangkok.

Since then she has been detained in prison waiting for her formal court appearance on March 19.

In a letter received by her family this week, Nobanda wrote that she was in good spirits and upbeat about the coming trial since she would only be charged for attempting to smuggle 600g of cocaine rather than the initial 1.5kg as earlier reported. This could considerably reduce her sentence.

The family said it would be sending a legal adviser and a family member to comfort Nobanda during her court appearance in March.

"I can confirm to you that a family member will travel to attend the trial and we are communicating with the South African embassy that side," Nobanda's mother, Honjiswa Mbewu, said.

In the emotional letter Nobanda asked for her family for their understanding and forgiveness. "First and probably the most important thing I want to say is I'm sorry to all of you. I know that I have disappointed, hurt and humiliated the whole family. I ask for forgiveness."

Nobanda also indicated that she was coping in prison and praying hard for a safe return home.