Somyot Prueksakasemsuk was freed yesterday after serving seven years in jail for lese majeste and defamation.
The former editor of the now-defunct Voice of Taksin magazine walked out of Bangkok Remand Prison to freedom at 6am, with his family and more than 80 friends waiting to greet him.
Mr Somyot hugged his daughter and son and acknowledged other well-wishers before leaving the prison compound in his family's car.
Mr Somyot thanked those who helped campaign for his release over the last seven years and said that when he was serving time he closely monitored current affairs in the country and believed that the government may soon have to deal with political violence.
"I am a bit disappointed that I came out and did not see democracy, but instead a place controlled by NCPO orders," Voice TV quoted him as saying, a reference to the junta's National Council for Peace and Order.
He vowed to continue his calls for freedom and justice and said his detention had at least brought attention from the international community on the issue of freedom of speech.
He said the coup d'etat that took place almost four years ago was a step backwards and it has negatively affected the kingdom's economy.
He said currently members of the public are aware of politics and their basic rights, and if the government continues to violate their rights he is sure they will come out to protest.
Mr Somyot was accused of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, after publishing two articles in 2010 that were deemed insulting to the royal family.
The Criminal Court in January 2013 sentenced Mr Somyot to 10 years in prison -- five years each on two charges. The Supreme Court on Feb 23, 2017 reduced the penalties to six years in total.
However, he was also convicted of defaming former deputy secretary-general of the Council for National Security Gen Saprang Kanlayanamitr, which added another year to the term.
Mr Somyot had sought bail 16 times, but all requests were rejected. He was a campaigner for better rights and welfare for workers before leading the anti-coup June 24 group, which is allied to the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.
