BANGKOK, Feb 28: Former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra vowed on Thursday to clear his name on corruption charges and called for national unity as he flew home to a jubilant welcome from thousands of supporters.

Ending 17 months of self-imposed exile, the charismatic billionaire kissed the ground at Bangkok airport on his first return to the country since he was toppled in a September 2006 bloodless coup.

He said he was not seeking revenge but wanted to spend time with his wife and three children, and to fight the corruption charges filed by the military regime that deposed him.

Immediately after landing he was driven under police escort to the Supreme Court and then the Attorney General’s office to hear the charges.

In separate hearings, they freed him on combined bail of nine million baht ($281,000) and banned him from leaving the country without permission from the court’s judges.

“I want to prove myself and reclaim my reputation which was destroyed in an unjustified and unfair manner,” Thaksin told reporters after the hearings.

“I have no desire to seek revenge against anyone,” he added. “All of us should compromise and unite for our country and our beloved king.” The graft cases against Thaksin date back to 2003. He is accused of having used his influence as premier to win a sweetheart property deal for his wife, and making fraudulent filings to securities regulators.

He and his wife Pojaman could each face up to 15 years in jail if convicted on all charges in both cases.

After rushing across town for the hearings, Thaksin visited the Grand Palace to pay his respects to the late sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej — an important display for a man accused of lacking loyalty to the revered monarchy.

Earlier on Thursday more than 10,000 supporters, many carrying red roses and waving blue flags, gathered at Bangkok’s international airport, some staking out a prime spot before dawn to greet their ousted leader.

The crowd sang songs praising Thaksin, creating a carnival-like atmosphere at the aisport. Some held banners that read “We love you” and “We miss you.” Thaksin has spent most of his time since the coup living in Britain, where he bought the English Premier League club Manchester City. He arrived on Thursday on a flight from Hong Kong.

“Our land needs him. Nobody can push him out. He is a good guy. Thai people love him,” said Malee, a 53-year-old businessman who did not want to give his last name.

Thaksin has booked himself for one month into Bangkok’s lavish riverside Peninsula Hotel, reserving three floors for his family and entourage.

His return comes with a new civilian government in office in Bangkok under Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, a close ally who was handpicked by Thaksin to lead the People Power Party (PPP) to success in December elections.

Thaksin repeatedly promised to stay out of politics, but critics don’t believe him and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee has already said he might seek the former premier’s advice on managing the economy.

The coup had been welcomed by Bangkok’s middle classes, who led months of street protests against twice-elected Thaksin in early 2006, accusing him of abuse of power and corruption.

But the military government left many coup supporters disillusioned as the generals mishandled the economy and failed to win convictions on the charges against Thaksin.

Not everyone is pleased about the ex-premier’s return however. The People’s Alliance for Democracy, which spearheaded earlier anti-Thaksin protests, has vowed to take to the streets against any perceived interference with the courts.

“He’s taking a gamble,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University, although “it’s a much less risky gamble than before the election.”—AFP