About 30 pro-Thaksin protesters, some of them with their heads shaved, burn wreaths bearing the names of junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin and other generals during a demonstration outside the Army headquarters yesterday.

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shina-watra will return to Thailand without seeking junta permission and may re-enter politics, his chief counsel Noppadon Pattama declared yesterday.

The exact date of return will be announced in a few days, Noppadon told a news conference yesterday.

On hearing the news the Thai Rak Thai Group - formerly the political party - announced 10,000 of its supporters would greet its ousted chief at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Military leaders said Thak-sin was welcome to end his self-imposed exile to defend himself against graft charges.

Noppadon said Thaksin was tired of being "bullied" by the junta.

"Thaksin's return [to politics] could come in many forms. He could give advice, financial support or run campaigns.

"If Thaksin is pressured or bullied too much this time,

he will fight back - as a par-

ticipant, not a spectator," Noppadon said.

Council for National Secu-rity chairman Sonthi Boonya-ratglin said: "There's nothing to worry about."

Noppadon said Thaksin's decision to end his exile was spurred by junta "bullying". The Assets Examination Committee freezing of his assets was the last straw, Noppadon said.

"I don't think Thaksin will stay quiet after his family has been bullied this bad. Almost all the allegations are just allegations and haven't been proven.

"His assets have been unfairly frozen. I believe people will give the Shinawatra family their empathy," Noppadon said.

Thaksin went into exile after being ousted in September last year. He believes the junta ordered the assets committee to do what it did.

Thaksin believes the freeze corners him and forces him to fight back even though he said earlier he was out of politics for good.

During the 60 days he has been given to explain his assets to the committee, the former prime minister will produce evidence to show the money was earned legally.

He promised not to "cause chaos", Noppadon said.

Thaksin has already established a legal team to fight the committee's charges, both criminal and civil. It is expected to finalise his defence this week, he said.

Noppadon said Thaksin reacted to the committee's allegations he was unusually wealthy, saying they were "groundless". Thaksin contends he earned his fortune legally and claims he caused loss to the country were inflammatory.

He added Thaksin arranged the Shin Corp sale to Temasek through his children to avoid allegations he was trying to take money out of Thailand. Thaksin said he could have handled the deal himself.

But, Noppadon said Thaksin now felt his caution had backfired.

The assets freeze is another blow to Thaksin's political standing. His Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved last month.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Thaksin had the right to return to fight the committee's freeze and other allegations.

"The Assets Examination Committee has already announced that Thaksin has 60 days to fight the charges; to defend how he acquired his alleged wealth. So, he has the right to return home and does not have to ask permission from the government," Surayud said.

However, Thaksin must inform the committee when he will return, Surayud said. He suggested a good time would be after the general election later this year.

The government has no duty to guarantee his safety. That is for the police, he added.

Meanwhile, Sonthi welcomed Thaksin and said he could enter Thailand to defend himself and his wealth.

The junta will ensure he is safe. He said Thaksin should contact the government and not the military to advise of his travel plans.

Kesinee Jaikawang

The Nation