Thailand's former PM Thaksin returns home

BANGKOK - Thailand's former Prime Minister (PM) Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the country on Tuesday after years of self-exile abroad.

Accompanied by his family, Thaksin made a brief public appearance at Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport to greet his core supporters and media on Tuesday morning after arriving in a private jet.

Thaksin was Thailand's premier from 2001 to 2006 but had been in self-exile abroad since 2008. He was convicted of multiple charges and faces up to 10 years in jail.

Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam said earlier that Thaksin will be subjected to legal procedure and sent to jail upon his arrival.

Thailand's parliament is due to vote later on Tuesday for a new PM as the Pheu Thai Party, which links to Thaksin, leads an effort to form the new government with former property businessman Srettha Thavisin as the PM candidate.

Both Thaksin and Pheu Thai Party insisted that his return was due to family reasons and unrelated to either the party or the PM vote.