Thailand's Thaksin returns home from exile, vows to remain out of politics

Deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra flew home to Thailand after 17 months of self-imposed exile Thursday, kissing the ground at Bangkok airport to an ecstatic welcome from thousands of supporters.

He landed at 9:38 am (0238 GMT), an immigration official said, and quickly left under police escort to the Supreme Court to face corruption charges filed by the military regime that toppled him in a September 2006 coup.

The billionaire businessman flew out of Hong Kong early Thursday saying he would report to authorities as soon as he arrived, and told reporters on Thai Airways flight 603 that the graft charges against him were unfounded.

"My reputation has been tarnished. I have done a lot for my country," said Thaksin, dressed for his homecoming in a smart black suit and white shirt.

"The allegations are made up. They are made to justify the coup."

Thaksin's son was travelling on the flight, along with several businessmen and two footballers with English Premiership football club Manchester City, which Thaksin bought last year.

A cheer rose from the travellers as the plane touched down.

The charismatic entrepreneur emerged from the airport to cheering crowds, and got to his knees to bow and kiss the ground of his home country. Thaksin has spent most his time since the coup living in Britain.
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Ex Thai Prime Minister Thaksin arrives home: vows to remain out of politics – Bangkok, 29 February, (Asiantribune.com): Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand amidst tight security Thursday morning, ending 17 months of self-imposed exile since the September 2006 military coup that ousted him from the country's leadership. Once stepping on the Thai soil, Thaksin knelt down, placed both his hands on the ground and bowed down. At least 600 policemen were deployed at Suvarnabhumi airport where a large crowd of Thaksin supporters, many of them carrying placards welcoming him back, waited anxiously for his arrival. Repeating his intention to stay out of politics, he announced that he would spend his time back in the country fighting charges against him and restoring his tarnished reputation.

The Exile: The Jews of Bani Nadir & Co. – take warning O ye with eyes!

After the battle of Badr, the Jews of Bani Nadir accepted the fact that the Holy Prophet was the messenger of Allah whose advent has been clearly mentioned in their scripture and made a pledge not to help or abet the enemies of Islam.

The hypocrites had sympathized with the Jews of Bani Nadir, whose opposition had grown strong since the Muslim reverse at Uhad (when many well-known companions had fled), and had promised to side with them if it came to a collision with the Muslims; and to emigrate with them if they were forced to emigrate.

When the Holy Prophet visited their habitation to conduct an inquiry concerning of killing of some Muslims, they tried to kill him. Then, because of their treason and projected murder of the Holy Prophet, they were asked to leave the strategic position which they occupied, about 3 miles south of Madina, endangering the very existence of the Muslims:

• At first they disagreed, relying on their fortresses and their secret alliances with the pagans of Makka and the hypocrites among the Muslims.


• When the Muslims marched against the Bani Nadir and besieged them while they were in their strong towers, the hypocrites did nothing; and when at length they were exiled, the hypocrites did not go with them into exile.


• Some (of the Bani Nadir) went to Syria and some joined their brethren in Khaybar.

The Bani Nadir deserved punishment for treason and projected murder of the Holy Prophet, but their lives were spared, and they were allowed to carry away their goods and chattels.

“It is He Who got out the Unbelievers among the People of the Book from their homes at the first exile (of the forces). Little did ye think that they would get out: And they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allah! But the (Wrath of) Allah came to them from quarters from which they little expected (it), and cast terror into their hearts, so that they destroyed their dwellings by their own hands and the hands of the Believers, take warning, then, O ye with eyes (to see)!” [59:al-hasyr,the exile:2]