Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra finally returned to the country after 15 years in self-exile, landing at Don Mueang airport on Tuesday morning.

His private jet landed at Don Mueang airport about 9am on Tuesday. Many supporters and key political figures, mostly from the Pheu Thai Party, were waiting to welcome him outside the private jet terminal at the airport in Bangkok.

At 9.25am Thaksin, in a dark blue suit and pink necktie, walked out of the front of the private jet terminal with his three children. He paid respect to a portrait of His Majesty the King next to the entrance.

Then he put his hands together in a wai and afterwards waved to his supporters.

He walked to greet Pheu Thai Party members who were waiting near the entrance of the terminal.

Thaksin and his children were out front of the terminal for three minutes before reentering the building.

It was reported earlier that he would be taken to the Supreme Court near the Grand Palace to undergo procedures concerning his punishment.

Since being overthrown by a military coup on Sept 19, 2006, Thaksin had lived in self-imposed exile, except for a brief visit to the country in 2008. During his absence, the Supreme Court sentenced him to a total of 12 years in prison in four cases.