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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Emotional return for ex-Thai PM | Emotional return for ex-Thai PM |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra has returned to his homeland, 17 months after being deposed in a military coup. | Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra has returned to his homeland, 17 months after being deposed in a military coup. |
| Thousands of flag-waving supporters, including key figures in the newly elected government, gathered at Bangkok's main airport to greet him. | Thousands of flag-waving supporters, including key figures in the newly elected government, gathered at Bangkok's main airport to greet him. |
| 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. | 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 granted bail and told not to leave Thailand without permission. | He was granted bail and told not to leave Thailand without permission. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Opponents' fears | Opponents' fears |
| 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!" | 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!" |
| As he left the airport, he knelt and touched the ground with his forehead in a sign of respect. | As he left the airport, he knelt and touched the ground with his forehead in a sign of respect. |
| 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. | 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. |
| A large crowd of supporters was waiting for Mr Thaksin in Bangkok | A large crowd of supporters was waiting for Mr Thaksin in Bangkok |
| "I've done nothing wrong, why worry?" he said. "I have to restore my reputation which has been tarnished by the coup." | "I've done nothing wrong, why worry?" he said. "I have to restore my reputation which has been tarnished by the coup." |
| 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. | 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," he said. | "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. |
| 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 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 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. | 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. |
| He is also likely to spend time trying to secure the release of $1600m (£800m) from his frozen bank accounts. | He is also likely to spend time trying to secure the release of $1600m (£800m) from his frozen bank accounts. |
| Lying low? | Lying low? |
| class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYPeople there are not ready to believe corruption charges against him Nava Raj Karki, Nepal class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4377">Send us your commentsBut 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. | 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. | 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. | But it is unlikely he will be able to avoid the media spotlight, even if he wants to. |