Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned home on Tuesday after 15 years in self-imposed exile.

A private jet with Mr Thaksin on board landed at Don Mueang Airport in the capital Bangkok on Tuesday morning, Thai local media reported.

Mr Thaksin, who made his fortune in the telecom industry, was elected prime minister in 2001.

In 2006, he was overthrown in a military coup.

Mr Thaksin was accused of corruption and abuse of power, as well as disrespect for the monarchy.

In 2008, he fled the country into exile to avoid imprisonment.

Mr Thaksin could still be imprisoned now that he has returned.

However, political observers doubt that the 74-year-old billionaire would spend much time behind bars if so.

In Thailand, convicts over the age of 70 can apply for parole or a royal pardon.

Mr Thaksin’s return came a few hours before parliament is due to hold another vote on electing a new prime minister.

The Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai Party is seeking power with property tycoon Srettha Thavisin as its candidate and an alliance with conservatives.

The party depends on the support of the military-appointed Senate chamber of parliament to come to power.

The country has had no new prime minister since the parliamentary election three months ago.

Pheu Thai, which came second in the election, has now taken over the formation of the government after the leader of the winning progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) failed in his bid to become prime minister.

He failed due to opposition from the military-appointed Senate.

(dpa/NAN)