Within minutes of stepping off a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong, the billionaire tycoon emerged from Bangkok airport's VIP reception area, knelt down and placed his forehead on the ground.

Thousands of supporters who had gathered at the airport - some waiting overnight -cheered, sang and waved placards proclaiming: “We Love Thaksin". Looking emotional he moved to the front of his entourage and offered a traditional Thai bow, hands clasped in respect. Police whisked him off in convoy of limousines to the supreme court to answer the corruption charge over a land deal while he was in office. He was quickly bailed for 8m baht (281,000 dollars) pending the first hearing next month, and barred from leaving the country without the court's permission.

Compromise

On the trip from Hong Kong, Thaksin, 58, who owns Manchester City football club, protested his innocence and struck a conciliatory tone towards the generals who deposed him in the bloodless September 2006 coup. “When the game is over, we must come together and settle our differences, forgive everything and help each other push the country forward,” he said, clutching a celebratory glass of champagne. “I can prove my innocence. The allegations are empty.”Thaksin again reiterated his vow, treated with scepticism, that he was finished with politics and would not meddle behind the scenes. The recently-elected government of the People Power party, however, is packed with his allies. In the airport lounge he was greeted by his wife, Pojaman, who returned in January to face the same corruption allegations over a piece of prime Bangkok land.  She allegedly used Thaksin’s political influence to buy it from a government agency at a knock down price.

Businessman Paitoon Buakhao, 34, a Thaksin loyalist who had waited for hours at the airport, said he believed it was his duty to be there to welcome the former prime minister back.

“I thought it was important to come,” he said. “I believe Thaksin was a good prime minister. His policies were sound and the people still remember him and really love him.” He added that he believed Thaksin,  banned from politics for five years by the military-appointed government, would abide by his commitment.