Thailand has pardoned a Thai-born American who was sentenced last year to 2 1/2 years in prison for insulting the monarchy , his lawyer said Wednesday . Joe W. Gordon , whose Thai name is Lerpong Wichaicommart , was released Tuesday after receiving a royal pardon from the king , his lawyer said . Gordon 's case is one of several that provoked criticism from human rights advocates over Thailand 's controversial laws that punish defaming , insulting or threatening the royal family . U.S. authorities had also expressed concern about his imprisonment . The charge of writing and posting articles insulting the monarchy under the Southeast Asian country 's lese majeste laws can yield a sentence as high as 20 years in prison in the Buddhist country , where the king is highly revered . Gordon , 54 , returned to Thailand in 2010 after 30 years in the United States . He was arrested in May 2011 for posting a link on his blog to an unauthorized biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej , according to the Asian Human Rights Commission . Gordon , who was received by U.S. Embassy officials after his release , wishes to leave Thailand immediately , his lawyer Anon Rumpa said . `` The case is over , he has no more pending court case or obligatory things to do , '' Anon said .
Thailand has strict laws that prohibit insults of the royal family . Joe ##w has been released early from a 2 1/2 year prison sentence . His case is one of several that drew criticism from human rights groups . He needs to leave Thailand immediately , his lawyer says .