Cambodia's king pardoned a Thal man yesterday three days after he was sentenced to seven years in prison for spying on Thailand's fugitive ex Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a case that soured relations between the neighbours.

Thai national Siwarak Chothipong, 31, will be released from prison Monday following his pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni, who said he had accepted the request after the jailed man, his mother and lawyer submitted it to Prime Minister Hun Sen, said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith. He did not elaborate.

The conviction Tuesday followed Cambodia's decision last month to name Thaksin, a fugitive from justice in Thailand, as its special economic adviser. The appointment and Thaksin's subsequent visit to Cambodia angered the government in Bangkok, and resulted in a recall of ambassadors from both sides.