The Supreme Court Tuesday jailed ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra for eight years, as he returned to Thailand after 15 years in exile..

The sentence relates to three convictions passed on him in absentia, the court said in a statement.

After 15 years of living in exile abroad, except for a brief visit to Thailand in 2008, Thaksin finally arrived at Don Mueang airport this morning at 9am.

He was met by his three children, including Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn, politicians from various parties and a large crowd of mostly red shirt-wearing supporters.

After normal immigration procedures, Thaksin, accompanied by his three children and a cordon of security officers, briefly exited the private jet terminal to pay his respects to an image of His Majesty the King near the exit, before greeting his supporters.

Thaksin was seen smiling, waving and performing the traditional “wai” to his well-wishers.

After arriving at Don Muang airport, Thaksin was taken to the Supreme Court to hear his sentences in three legal cases.