Nicolaides, 41, was sentenced last month by a Thai court for insulting the monarchy in a 2005 novel Verisimilitude, which contained references to an unnamed crown prince. He was arrested in August and remained in prison until the final hearing in January, when he was found guilty of breaching Thailand's les majeste laws.

Nicolaides has described his time in prison as ''torture'' and ''a bad dream'' and has expressed remorse over the publication.

Thai corrections department officials said a recommendation for Nicolaides to receive a royal pardon from King Bhumipol Adulyadej was under way and was supported by the department.

Human rights lawyer Somchai Homla-or said the corrections department's recommendation was very important.

''I believe that with this recommendation he will be granted a pardon from His Majesty.'' AAP