Sydney  - Australian Harry Nicolaides is out of prison and on his way home to Melbourne after being pardoned by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the author's brother said Saturday.

Nicolaides was released from a Bangkok prison on Friday, Forde Nicolaides told Australia's AAP news agency.

He was arrested in August and jailed last month on a conviction for insulting the royal family.

Bangkok, Jan. 19 : Australian writer Harry Nicolaides, 41, has been sentenced to three years in jail here for insulting Thailand''s revered royal family in a novel.

Nicolaides pleaded guilty to the charge earlier today. He has been in custody for nearly five months.

"He was found guilty under criminal law article 112 and the court has sentenced him to six years, but due to his confession, which is beneficial to the case, the sentence is reduced to three years," a judge told the court.