Crossword Genius

Free former parliamentarian near Thailand, touring East (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exempt

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'free' is the definition.
(exempting is a kind of freeing)

'former parliamentarian near thailand touring east' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'ex'.
'parliamentarian' becomes 'mp'.
'near thailand' becomes 't' (abbreviation on car registration plates. I am not sure about the 'near' bit.).
'touring' is an insertion indicator (touring can mean going round).
'east' becomes 'e' (synonyms).
'ex'+'mp'+'t'='exmpt'
'exmpt' going around 'e' is 'EXEMPT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for exempt that I've seen before include "may mean the taxman may ignore some charge" , "Free (from, eg, taxes)" , "Grant immunity" , "Not subject to, taxation perhaps" , "Freed from obligation, tax etc" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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