Thaksin arrives to resolve coalition differnce

His personal charisma among politicians in the PPP and smaller coalition parties was expected to help solve the differences over the nominee for the new House speaker and constitutional amendments, said the source from the PPP.

Factions in the PPP are struggling to nominate their members to replace Yingyuth Tiyapairat, who last week resigned as the speaker of the House of Representatives. And coalition parties have been unable to agree to the PPP plan for extensive changes to the charter.

Thaksin arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport late yesterday evening. He was greeted inside the arrival room for VIPs by his children, his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, politicians and some Cabinet members. His wife, Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, was not present.

Unlike in previous trips home, only a few of Thaksin's supporters showed up to welcome him at the airport. He chatted with them briefly and gave them his autograph.

Thaksin also met a large group of reporters and photographers at the airport. He responded to their questions that focused mainly on a controversy in which his name appeared on the Thai national flag during Manchester City Football Club's recent match.

Security was tight with more than 100 police officers dispatched to the airport at the time of Thaksin's arrival. His motorcade later left the airport under the protection of the Special Branch police.