PHNOM PENH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Thai man who was convicted on espionage charge to seven years in jail in Cambodia was released Monday and he told reporters that he will return home later Monday.
Sivarak Chotipong, 31, was sentenced to seven years in jail and a fine of 10 million riel (about 2,500 U.S. dollars) last week by Phnom Penh Municipal Court, was officially released Monday, three days after he was pardoned by Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni.
After receiving document concerning the pardon handed to him by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, Sivarak told reporters that he hoped to return for work in Cambodia again but did not elaborate the time.
Sivarak, who wore nicely-suited jacket, was accompanied by his mother, and a few members of parliament from Pheu Thai Party.
Sivarak was working as an engineer employed by a Thai owned company, Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co. at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Cambodian court charged him for sending information of flight plans of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who made a visit to Cambodia on Nov. 10 -- to Thai government through its embassy in Phnom Penh.
On Sunday, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Cambodia for the second time and had met briefly with Sivarak in a prison at Prey Sar, about 15 kilometers south of Phnom Penh.
While he is in Phnom Penh, Thaksin will give lecture again to Cambodian officials on economic issues.
Thaksin posted on his own online Twitter page on Saturday that he is to travel to exchange ideas with leaders of three countries in Asia for seven to eight days.
It remains unclear how many days Thaksin will stay in Cambodia, but one government official said he might stay a few days in Cambodia.
Sivarak's mother has asked Thailand's opposition Pheu Thai Party for help to release her son.
A Cambodian official who asked not to be identified said Thaksin has played a key role in helping Sivarak to be released.
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