Manchester City chairman Thaksin granted bail in Thailand

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The former Thai prime minister was ordered by the Supreme Court to post 267,000 US Dollars (£134,610) bail pending trial on corruption charges which will begin on March 12. He is also barred from leaving the country without permission.

The 58-year-old, who took over City last summer, was taken into custody by police after his arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong. He was then driven to the Supreme Court.

Two Manchester City players, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and midfielder Kelvin Etuhu, were on the flight and said they planned to hold some soccer clinics with Thai children and work out with the national team.

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Shinawatra insisted he was staying clear of politics on his return to Thailand.

"I and my family have suffered from injustice but this can not be compared to the hardship befallen the people who are the worst victims of political rivalry," he said at a press conference.

He said he wanted to return to his homeland since September 20, a day after the coup but he was asked by the military leaders to stay in exile for a while.

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"I was obliged to come back to defend my tarnished reputation and that of my family. I will prove my innocence."

Two arrest warrants were issued for Thaksin after the September 2006 coup that removed him from power, but he denies all charges.

He had earlier told reporters before boarding the plane in Hong Kong: "I believe in the Thai justice system, especially the court system. Normally in justice systems everywhere, a person is innocent until proved guilty."

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Few in Thailand believe that he will be convicted of any offence in a Thai court. Before his return he was regarded by many as the de-factor Prime Minister workng behind the scenes, with Samak Sundaravej as his political inferior and leader in name only.

Shinawatra faces a charge of concealing his assets, and another of abuse of power by buying government-owned land in central Bangkok at a knockdown price.

But a whole range of charges have been dropped and the chief investigator against him from the Department of Special Investigations was removed from his post two weeks ago, Now among the first moves he will try to make is to unfreeze his assets which total over £1 billion.

He has told friends in Britain that more funds will soon be available to help promote Manchester City's rise through the Premier League and into Europe.