Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has arrived in Bangkok after his surprise departure to Dubai, a day before a court ruling that could open the influential former leader up to imprisonment.

Thaksin could be seen walking out of the private jet terminal of the Don Mueang International Airport from a livestream video on Monday afternoon.

Last week, Thaksin said he intended to travel to Singapore for a medical check-up, but had to change the destination to Dubai instead because he was delayed by Thai immigration.

He said his plane would not be able to land at Singapore's Seletar Airport, which serves small aircraft, before its 10pm closing time.

Thaksin, a billionaire who has loomed large over Thai politics for a quarter of a century, lived in Dubai during his self-imposed exil

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