Thailand Frees Jailed Australian Writer

[tekisui]

An Australian writer jailed for insulting the Thai royal family has flown home to reunion with his family after being pardoned by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Harry Nicolaides arrived in the city of Melbourne on Saturday after spending five months in a Bangkok prison on charges of slandering the Thai monarchy.

Thai officials said Nicolaides, 41, was released from jail on Friday evening after officials approved a royal pardon - the result of intense lobbying by Canberra.

"I was informed I had a royal pardon and asked to kneel before a portrait of the king - a royal audience of sorts," Nicolaides said on arrival at Melbourne airport.

"A few hours before that I was climbing out of a sewerage tank that I fell into in the prison.

"I ran out of tears but I never ran out of hope or love."

more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/02/20092216581228991.html