(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-28 19:46

BANGKOK - Thailand's deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra affirmed he would quit politics at his first press conference in Bangkok after returning to Thailand on Thursday morning, ending 17 months of self-exile since a military coup toppled his government.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) speaks during a news conference with his son Panthongtae (R) at a hotel in Bangkok February 28, 2008. [Agencies]

The ex-premier said he had planned to return to Thailand ever since September 20, 2006, the second day after the military top brass toppled him in a coup while he was attending a United Nations meeting in New York.

However, he and his family was forced to live abroad for more than 17 months. A written statement released to reporters listed personal security concerns and worries for the junta's interference with the justice system, as reasons of his self-exile.

He decided it is the proper time for him to return now that Thailand is returning to the normal track of democratic rule under a Constitutional Monarchy after the country held a general election in December 23, 2007 and had a new elected government.

He had returned to defend his and his family's reputation against "unfair" allegations and charges.

He said that, now as a 59-year-old man, he wished to live quietly and peacefully with his family as a normal Thai citizen.

"I have traveled around the world, but I have found that there is no other place as warm and happy to me as my home country Thailand. I want to live the rest of my life here."

He also called for all sides never to allow differences of opinions cause division and break national unity.

The ex-premier made the remarks, accompanied by his wife and three children, before local and international press at a luxurious hotel in downtown Bangkok, before retreating to his hotel room. The appearance lasted for less than 10 minutes, and he refused to take any question of media himself, leaving them to his aides.

Thaksin arrived at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport by a Thai International Airways flight from Hong Kong on Thursday morning at around 9:45 a.m. (0245 GMT).

After a brief and silent greeting to thousands of supporters waiting outside the airport, he reported himself to the Supreme Court, which earlier issued arrest warrants for Thaksin and his wife Pojaman on charges involving a controversial land deal on Bangkok's Ratchadapisek Road in 2003, in which the ex-premier was accused of abuse power to help his wife get the government- auctioned land plot at a low price.

The Court also set March 12 as the date for a hearing on the case.

Thaksin then reported to the Office of the Attorney General, where he was charged by the Department of Special Investigation of concealing assets in the SC Asset company.

He was released on bail by the two legal bodies before heading for the press conference.