By Dominic Whiting
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Ousted Thai Prime Minister ThaksinShinawatra made an emotional return from exile on Thursday,swearing to stay out of politics despite a widespread belief hewould run the country from behind the scenes.
Within minutes of arriving, the telecoms billionairesurrendered to police on a corruption charge, and then, withtears in his eyes, left the terminal to greet the land of hisbirth after 18 months of enforced separation since the 2006coup.
His palms clasped together in a traditional gesture ofrespect, the 59-year-old knelt down and placed his forehead onthe pavement.
Thousands of supporters waving roses and "We love Thaksin"banners cheered their hero, who was then whisked away in amotorcade of limousines to the Supreme Court, where he wasgranted bail. Many in the crowds were in tears.
During his journey home from Hong Kong, Thaksin protestedhis innocence but also struck a conciliatory note, suggestinghe might not embark immediately on a campaign of vengeanceagainst the generals who booted him from office.
"When the game is over, we must come together and settleour differences, forgive everything and help each other pushthe country forward," he told reporters on the plane, acelebratory glass of champagne in his hands.
"I can prove my innocence. The allegations are empty."
TEARS, CHEERS, FEARS
Thaksin, the first elected Thai prime minister to completea full term in office in 75 years of on-off democracy, said hewould not meddle in politics even though the administrationelected in December is run by his close supporters.
"I'll just voice concerns as a former prime minister, if Iwere to have any," he said.
Few Thais believe him -- or want to believe him.
It was the support for Thaksin in the countryside and amongurban workers that carried the People Power Party led by SamakSundaravej to near an overall majority in December. Votersexpect and want Thaksin to be the man making decisions.
"I love him so much," said 65-year-old Wilai Scott, who ismarried to a foreigner. "I want Thaksin to be PM again."
In a sign of widespread support among Bangkok's rank andfile, Wilai said the taxi driver taking her to the airport togreet Thaksin refused to accept a fare.
"He has to be PM again. It's been very bad for us. No jobs,more crime. Nothing good came from the coup," said SuwanChaisang, a 43-year-old rice farmer from Nakhon Pathom justnorth of Bangkok who waited for Thaksin since before dawn.
Even though his return appears to have been negotiatedcarefully, it represents a defeat, possibly temporary, for themilitary and royalist establishment who sought to erase Thaksinfrom the political map.
Having executed a clinical and bloodless coup, accusingThaksin of presiding over rampant corruption and disrespectingKing Bhumibol Adulyadej, the generals were then undermined bythe dithering of the interim government they set up.
Despite Thaksin's expressions of reconciliation, mostanalysts expect a renewed battle between him and thetraditional elite for control of Thailand's future.
Thaksin -- barred from politics for five years forelectoral fraud -- will still have to fight one corruptioncharge and possibly more.
(Additional reporting by Darren Schuettler and NoppornWong-Anan; Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Michael Battye)
