Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he is ready to go to jail in Thailand provided he is allowed to spend the rest of his life with his family.

Speaking in an interview with Kyodo News during a trip to Tokyo, Thaksin said he was possibly returning to Thailand this year, following years of living in self-exile abroad. He was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and left the country in 2008 before being sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for conflict of interest.

“Now I’ve served 16 years already in the big jail because they prevent me from staying with my family,” said Thaksin, now 73, referring to his life away from his home country.

“I’ve suffered enough. If I were to suffer again in a smaller jail, it is OK.

“It is not really the price I need to pay but I will pay, because I want to stay with my grandchildren. I should spend the rest of my life with my children and my grandchildren.”

The billionaire, who served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, expressed confidence that the Pheu Thai Party will win the May 14 election.

His youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is expected to be one of three prime ministerial candidates from the party.