By Nopporn Wong-Anan
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 hewill run the country from behind the scenes.
Within minutes of arriving, the telecoms billionairesurrendered to police on a corruption charge, then, with tearsin his eyes, left the terminal to greet the land of his birthafter 18 months of enforced separation since the 2006 coup.
His palms clasped together in a gesture of respect, the59-year-old knelt down and placed his forehead on the 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 8 million baht (135,000 pound) bail.
Thaksin, ousted by generals accusing him of presiding overrampant corruption and disrespecting revered King BhumibolAdulyadej, insisted that his political career was over.
"I've got the heart of a sportsman. When the game isfinished, it is finished," he told a packed news conference ata swish Bangkok hotel.
During his flight from Hong Kong he also struck aconciliatory note, suggesting he might not embark immediatelyon a campaign of vengeance against the generals who booted himout.
"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."
Still, leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy thatled 100,000-strong marches against Thaksin in Bangkok, protestswhich led to the coup, said they feared his allies ingovernment would ensure he escaped the charge.
"I want to warn those ministers who received politicalpromotion from Thaksin they must not do anything to give thepublic the impression that they are returning power to him,"spokesman Suriyasai Katasila told reporters.
"If we find they are trying to intervene in the judicialprocess directly or indirectly, we will not sit idly by."
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 even meddle in politics despite the administrationelected in December being run by his allies.
"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, despitehim being banned from politics for five years after the coupfor electoral fraud. His behaviour will affect the markets.
"The next question here is about political stability,whether the man can live up to his promises," SaengthamJaranachaikul, a senior analyst at Thanachart Securities, toldReuters.
"If he does the opposite, then it might stir up those whodislike him to come out on the streets again," he said.
The main stock index was up 0.62 percent at 7:55 a.m.British time in cautious trade as investors assessed the impactof Thaksin's return.
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.
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.
Despite Thaksin's expressions of reconciliation, mostanalysts expect a renewed battle between him and thetraditional elite for control of Thailand's future.
(Additional reporting by Dominic Whiting and DarrenSchuettler; Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Michael Battyeand Bill Tarrant)
