Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra (left) with his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives at Don Muang airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug 22, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

BANGKOK - Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has submitted a request for a royal pardon, outgoing Justice Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Thursday.

Thaksin, Thailand's most famous politician, made a dramatic homecoming last week after 15 years abroad where he lived in self-exile to avoid prison.

Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon still wields influence in Thai politics with parties loyal to him winning every election in the past two decades until this year

Thaksin arrived on a private jet and greeted supporters before being moved to a prison to serve an eight-year sentence for abuse of power and conflicts of interest from his time in power.

Hours later, Srettha Thavisin of the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai party won a parliamentary vote to become prime minister.

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Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon still wields influence in Thai politics with parties loyal to him winning every election in the past two decades until this year.

On his first night in jail, Thaksin was transferred to a police hospital, on account of chest pains and high blood pressure.

A representative of the 74-year-old Thaksin declined to comment when asked by Reuters about his pardon request.

A request for royal pardon must be submitted through the corrections department to the justice minister.

"The request will then be presented to (incumbent) Prime Minister Prayuth Cha-ocha who needs to sign it before presenting it to the king," Wissanu told Reuters.

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If a royal pardon is not granted, Thaksin will have to wait two years to submit another request.