In the searing heat at Don Mueang Airport, crowds of supporters gathered from the early morning to witness the moment they’ve waited fifteen years for – the return of their fugitive former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

There were huge cheers as he arrived with his three children at the gate of the terminal and waved at the huge bank of cameras.

Supporters, waiting excitedly behind fences, cheered “we love Thaksin”.

Conscious of engaging in the symbolism of this moment, Mr Shinawatra placed a floral wreath and bowed before a portrait of Thailand’s king and queen.

In a nod to his red shirt loyalists, he wore a red tie and, on his lapel, a commemorative pin for the king.

Mr Shinawatra, the head of a famed political dynasty and a former owner of Manchester City Football Club, was prime minister from 2001 until he was ousted in a military coup in 2006 while in New York attending a UN meeting.

He is one of the most divisive figures in Thai history but has a strong political track record in winning elections and still enjoys support.

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The presumption is that he’s come back because he’s done a deal with his Royalist adversaries and ex-military rivals to keep him out of prison.

He has 10 years of outstanding criminal cases against him which he has always alleged were politically motivated.

Police said he would be taken directly to the Supreme Court for a hearing, then transferred to a prison.

In a statement, the court said he will serve eight years, but how long he’ll actually stay inside is unclear.

‘He’s a hero to the Thai people’

Ratchanee, 52, travelled hours to get here.

She said: “We’ve felt attached to him for more than 20 years.

“And we still use his policies. So, I’ve come here to give him encouragement.”

While Pom, 22, said: “I think this means hope. I hope he will be pardoned and can live with his family.”

Her friend, Peter, said: “He’s a hero to the Thai people. He provided policies for all – rich or poor.”

For Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources, the return is personal as well as political.

Mr Shinawatra presided over his wedding and he tells me seventeen years abroad “is long enough to spend outside of your home”.

He added: “The legal system will have to proceed. But what’s most important is that he’s back on Thai soil.”

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Return follows political gridlock

His arrival comes just hours before a crucial parliamentary vote to decide whether Srettha Thavisin, a candidate put forward by the Pheu Thai, the party associated with Mr Shinawatra, can take office as prime minister.

If Mr Thavisin is successful, it could end three months of political gridlock.

Pheu Thai has pursued a controversial coalition with its longstanding enemies, joining forces with military-aligned parties, claiming it’s what was needed to win.

But some of Mr Shinawatra’s supporters believe the party has abandoned its democratic principles.

It may well, though, have been key to getting him back to Thailand.

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