Thaksin makes historic return home, sent to jail

BANGKOK, Aug 22 (Reuters): Populist Pheu Thai Party's billionaire figurehead Thaksin Shinawatra made a historic homecoming after years of as a fugitive in self-imposed exile on Tuesday, a day when real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin won the backing of Thailand's parliament to become prime minister.
Thaksin, 74, received a rapturous reception upon his return from supporters at a Bangkok airport, before being escorted by police to the Supreme Court then to a jail to serve a sentence of eight years.
The return of Thailand's most famous politician and Srettha's smooth ascent to the top job will add to speculation that Thaksin may have done a deal with his enemies in the military and establishment to allow his safe return, and possibly an early release from jail.
Thaksin and Pheu Thai have denied that.
Tuesday's events were the latest twist in a nearly two decade power struggle between Pheu Thai, which has won five elections, and a nexus of conservatives, generals and old money families that have long wielded influence on politics and the economy.