Deposed Prime Minister Back in Thailand Facing Charges

An apology and then a stark promise came from Thaksin Shinawatra at his long press conference at the end of a long and emotional day: "I will definitely not get involved in politics."

He held the meeting with the media at The Peninsula hotel where he also plans to spend the night.

Joined at the podium by his wife Khunying Potjaman and his three children, Mr Thaksin began by offering his apologies for the troubles that his supporters had to go through following his ouster by a military coup on Sept 19, 2006.

He then thanked those who provided continued support even though his reputation had been left in tatters by those who despised him.

The reason for his return home, he said, was to prove his innocence in corruption cases levelled against him.

"I have to return to prove my innocence and restore my reputation, which has been unfairly tarnished," he said.

Once he clears his name, he then only wants to live life like a normal Thai citizen.

"I will not return to the political stage," he said. "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.

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

He said he will focus his energy on doing more social work, and become more involved with the process of developing the country's sports and education.