Thaksin's Homecoming

Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited his hometown in the kingdom's north as he made his first public appearances since being freed early from a jail sentence for graft and abuse of power.

The controversial billionaire, twice elected premier and ousted in a 2006 military coup, prayed at the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine before flying by private jet to Chiang Mai for a three-day trip.

After landing in Chiang Mai, his home city and traditional political power base, he was greeted by his younger sister and her husband before heading to a park and greeting supporters.

"Seventeen years I've been waiting for him," Samniang Kongpolparn, who traveled from northeastern Surin province said.

While in the north, Thaksin will meet family and supporters and pray at the graves of his relatives.

Earlier, scores of media camped out in front of the Bangkok shrine where Thaksin, wearing a blue shirt and a neck brace, prayed.

He was accompanied by his daughter Paetongtarn, now head of his Pheu Thai party, and her husband.

Thaksin, 74, returned to the kingdom in August last year after 15 years of self-exile, and was immediately jailed for eight years on charges dating back to his time in power.

But his sentence was cut to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn within days of his return, and last month the government said Thaksin was eligible for early release because of his age and poor health.

Thaksin is widely seen as still wielding great influence with Pheu Thai, and on his release last month, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that "everyone in the government is ready to listen" to the veteran leader.

Thaksin is one of the most influential but divisive figures in modern Thai history.

The tussle for dominance between the establishment and Thaksin and his allies has largely defined Thai politics over the past two decades.