Thaksin Shinawatra, the Manchester City chairman, has vowed not to get involved in politics following his return to Thailand today. The former Prime Minister of Thailand, who took over City last summer, was taken into custody by police after his arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong.

He was then driven to the Supreme Court where he was ordered to post £134,610 (US$267,000) bail pending trial on corruption charges which will begin on March 12. He is also barred from leaving the country without permission.

Thaksin held a press conference at the Peninsula hotel in Bangkok where he stressed he was in Thailand solely to clear his name. "I have returned to prove my innocence and restore my reputation, which has been unfairly tarnished," he said. "I will not return to the political stage.

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

Thaksin had earlier told reporters before boarding the plane in Hong Kong: "I believe in the Thai justice system, especially the court system. Normally in justice systems everywhere, a person is innocent until proved guilty."

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the City manager, believes Thaksin will continue to give the club his unqualified support. "Thaksin has already given us what he promised [in transfer funds] in July, August and January. His support and his involvement with Thailand, I do not think has anything to do with the club.

"Every time I meet him and the people working for him, it is the same. They want City to be bigger and better. He wants to create one of the biggest clubs in the world - and I hope that happens, of course.

"To do that we need many things. But one thing which is very important is to play in Europe next season, either in the Champions League or Uefa Cup. We have a new team and need to give them experience at that level. It would be good for our future."

Eriksson also defended his decision to allow Kasper Schmeichel and Kelvin Etuhu to accompany Thaksin to Thailand. The two fringe players are away for a week before being sent out on loan next month. "It will be good experience for them in Thailand. They are training there and helping in youth football. Neither of them is involved in the first team, and that is why these two players were chosen."