Thaksin speaks out after arrest

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The 58-year-old former Thai Prime Minister was taken into custody after his arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on a flight from Hong Kong. He was then driven to the Supreme Court where he was ordered to post 267,000 US Dollars bail pending trial on corruption charges which will begin on March 12.

"I have returned to prove my innocence and restore my reputation, which has been unfairly tarnished. "I will not return to the political stage," he said in the Bangkok Post.

Thaksin, who is also barred from leaving the country without permission, held a press conference at The Peninsula hotel in Bangkok where he stressed he was in Thailand solely to clear his name.

"I am 59 this year, so I just want to enjoy the last stages of my life with my family, in my country. I will die on Thai soil.

"There is nowhere in the world where I and my family can stay as happily as in Thailand."

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."

City 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.