Oliver Jufer, 57, landed at Zurich airport on a Swiss flight and was quickly spirited away from waiting photographers and journalists, an airport official said.

Jufer's royal pardon came just two weeks ago after he pleaded guilty to lese majeste -- offending the dignity of 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch.

 Security cameras videotaped Jufer spraying black paint on the monarch's portraits during a drunken spree in the northern city of Chiang Mai on December 5, the king's birthday and a time of national celebration.

Agence France Presse