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Former Thai PM Thaksin back home Emotional return for ex-Thai PM
(10 minutes later)
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on bail shortly after his arrival in Thailand after spending 17 months in exile. Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra has returned to his homeland, 17 months after being deposed in a military coup.
He said he would beat what he called politically motivated corruption charges from the years he was in power. Thousands of flag-waving supporters, including key figures in the newly elected government, gathered at Bangkok's main airport to greet him.
The 58-year-old billionaire businessman was briefly detained by police on his arrival at Bangkok airport. Mr Thaksin was taken straight to court to face charges of abuse of power during his time in office - charges he insists are politically motivated.
He was removed from power in a military coup in September 2006 and has lived outside the country since then. He was granted bail and told not to leave Thailand without permission.
At the airport he was greeted by a huge roar from thousands of flag-waving supporters. Mr Thaksin has said he intends to stay out of politics now he is back in the country, but correspondents say there are fears his return could lead to political turmoil.
Some of the key figures from the new government were there to meet him before he was whisked away to the Supreme Court where he was granted bail.
He is allowed to travel abroad, but only with the court's permission.
Opponents' fearsOpponents' fears
"I have to restore my reputation which has been tarnished by the coup," he told reporters with him on the plane from Hong Kong. The 58-year-old billionaire businessman had tears in his eyes as he greeted his supporters, who were cheering and waving signs saying "We love Thaksin!"
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Harding on the flight, Mr Thaksin said he would "definitely" be cleared of corruption charges against him. As he left the airport, he knelt and touched the ground with his forehead in a sign of respect.
"I've done nothing wrong, why worry?" he said. Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Harding on the flight from Hong Kong, Mr Thaksin expressed optimism that he would "definitely" be cleared of corruption charges against him.
Mr Thaksin said he wanted to live peacefully as a "normal citizen" and would not be seeking revenge against the coup bosses who forced him out of power after five years in office. A large crowd of supporters was waiting for Mr Thaksin in Bangkok
Mr Thaksin's party, Thai Rak Thai, was outlawed following the coup and he was personally banned from politics for five years but his opponents fear he has returned to influence events from behind-the-scenes. "I've done nothing wrong, why worry?" he said. "I have to restore my reputation which has been tarnished by the coup."
Many of Mr Thaksin's followers formed the People Power Party (PPP), which won elections in December last year. Mr Thaksin's party, Thai Rak Thai, was outlawed following the military coup in September 2006, and he was personally banned from politics for five years.
When asked if he would be pulling the political strings in Thailand, Mr Thaksin told the BBC that he had retired from politics.When asked if he would be pulling the political strings in Thailand, Mr Thaksin told the BBC that he had retired from politics.
"I think in my life I have devoted a lot to my country and I think I have done a lot politically. No more politics." "I think in my life I have devoted a lot to my country and I think I have done a lot politically. No more politics," he said.
Mr Thaksin has some $1600m (£800m) in frozen accounts in Thailand. He told Andrew Harding this was his family's money which he would try to get released. He insisted he wanted to live peacefully as a "normal citizen", with no desire to seek revenge against the military leaders who forced him out of power.
He said he had mixed feelings about returning to home, but that he now wished to focus on his family and his football interests - he owns Manchester City and was travelling with two of the British club's players. He said that he now wished to focus on his family and his football interests. He owns Manchester City and travelled to Thailand with two of the British club's players.
"Manchester City Football Club in my family investment so we will have to do our best to make it successful," he said. He is also likely to spend time trying to secure the release of $1600m (£800m) from his frozen bank accounts.
Lying low?
But his opponents fear he has returned to Thailand to influence events from behind-the-scenes.
The People Power Party (PPP), which won elections in December last year, includes many of Mr Thaksin's followers, and critics say that the new prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, is just a proxy for Mr Thaksin himself.
Our correspondent says the former prime minister will need to lie low for a while now he is back in Thailand.
But it is unlikely he will be able to avoid the media spotlight, even if he wants to.