BANGKOK (AFP) — Former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra vowed Thursday to clear his name on corruption charges and called for national unity as he flew home to a jubilant welcome from thousands of supporters.
Ending 17 months of self-imposed exile, the charismatic billionaire kissed the ground at Bangkok airport on his first return to the country since he was toppled in a September 2006 bloodless coup.
He said he was not seeking revenge but wanted to spend time with his wife and three children, and to fight the corruption charges filed by the military regime that deposed him.
Immediately after landing he was driven under police escort to the Supreme Court and then the Attorney General's office to hear the charges.
In separate hearings, they freed him on combined bail of nine million baht (281,000 dollars) and banned him from leaving the country without permission from the court's judges.
"I want to prove myself and reclaim my reputation which was destroyed in an unjustified and unfair manner," Thaksin told reporters after the hearings.
"I left Thailand as a prime minister," he said. "But on my return, I am a suspect.
"I was fingerprinted like a serious criminal. I regret that that happened, that they treated me like a serious criminal."
"I have no desire to seek revenge against anyone," he went on. "All of us should compromise and unite for our country and our beloved king."
The graft cases against Thaksin date back to 2003. He is accused of having used his influence as premier to win a sweetheart property deal for his wife, and making fraudulent filings to securities regulators.
He and his wife Pojaman could each face up to 15 years in jail if convicted on all charges in both cases.
More than 10,000 supporters, many carrying red roses and waving blue flags, gathered at Bangkok's international airport.
Some arrived before dawn to get a prime spot to greet their ousted leader, who arrived here from Hong Kong.
The crowd sang songs praising Thaksin, filling the airport with a carnival atmosphere, while banners read "We love you" and "We miss you."
Thaksin has spent most his time since the coup living in Britain, where he bought the English Premier League club Manchester City.
"Our land needs him. Nobody can push him out. He is a good guy. Thai people love him," said Malee, a 53-year-old businessman who did not want to give his last name.
Thaksin's son was also on the flight along with several businessmen and two Manchester City footballers on a promotional trip.
Thaksin has booked himself for one month into Bangkok's lavish riverside Peninsula Hotel, reserving an entire floor for his family and entourage.
His return comes with a new civilian government in office in Bangkok under Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, a close ally who was handpicked by Thaksin to lead the People Power Party (PPP) to success in December elections.
Thaksin was set to visit the Grand Palace later to pay his respects to the late sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in what would be an important display for a man accused by the military of lacking loyalty to the throne.
The coup was welcomed by Bangkok's middle classes, who led months of street protests against twice-elected Thaksin in early 2006, accusing him of abuse of power and corruption.
But the military government left many coup supporters disillusioned as the generals mishandled the economy and failed to win convictions on the charges against Thaksin.
Not everyone is pleased about his return however. The People's Alliance for Democracy, which spearheaded earlier anti-Thaksin protests, has vowed to take to the streets against any perceived interference with the courts.
"He's taking a gamble," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University, although "it's a much less risky gamble than before the election."
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