Thailand's Thaksin jailed on return from exile as ally Srettha wins PM vote

FILE PHOTO: Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, Srettha Thavisin, who is set to be nominated for premier in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, speaks during a party members' meeting at the party headquarter, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra made a historic homecoming on Tuesday and was escorted to jail after years in exile, on a day when an ally and fellow tycoon was elected prime minister after winning a parliamentary vote.

The 74-year-old Thaksin, the billionaire founder of the electoral juggernaut Pheu Thai, finally made good on promises to go back to Thailand after a run of 15 years in self-exile, stealing the limelight from real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin as he prevailed for their party in parliament.