Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra booked an entire floor of the riverside Peninsula Bangkok Hotel to ensure his and his family's security, sources said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Thaksin yesterday vowed to steer clear of politics. He said he would "never, ever again" enter politics.

"I've had enough," he told Thai Public Broadcasting Service television while at a Hong Kong shopping mall.

"The hotel has its own helicopter pad and its security system is among the country's best. If something goes wrong, Thaksin could be quickly taken out," one source said.

The date of Thaksin's departure from the hotel was not revealed.

The Peninsula Hotel is situated on the Thon Buri bank of the Chao Phya River, opposite the Oriental Hotel, in Bangkok's Klong San district.

The family of Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit is a major shareholder of the hotel.

Special Weapons and Tactics personnel were sent to the hotel on Tuesday to check security.

Trusted Thaksin aide Newin Chidchob is leading his former boss's personal security plans and guards, according to a source in the ruling People Power Party. Thaksin might visit his Chiang Mai hometown, the source said.

When in Bangkok, Thaksin wants to get a haircut, a massage and eat noodles, according to a politician who was with him in Hong Kong recently. Measures will be tight at Suvarnabhumi Airport for Thaksin's arrival this morning, too.

About 150 crowd-control police officers will be dispatched to the airport to keep order and prevent any confrontation between pro- and anti-Thaksin forces, according to Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Aswin Kwanmuang.

"I urge supporters and opponents of the former prime minister to follow developments on television at home," he said.

Police stations were instructed to provide security for Thaksin and his entourage as they travel, a source said. Police have stepped up manpower security at Baan Chan Song La.

Thaksin, in the television interview, insisted on his innocence of corruption allegations.

"I am confident I am innocent. I have done nothing wrong. I am ready to prove [it in court]," he said. "Many people think I should return home at this time, as the country returns to democracy."

Thaksin said the first thing he wanted to do upon his return to Thailand was hug his wife and children. Both supporters and detractors are expected to travel to the airport this morning.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said security would not be compromised for Thaksin, even though he was no longer a political leader.

"Given recent assassinations of people like Pakistan's former premier Benazir Bhutto, we should not take risks," Chalerm said.

He said he would keep his election promise to welcome Thaksin home.

However, Metropolitan Police chief Aswin said police had received no information of any threat on Thaksin's life. "One man is just coming back home to face justice. There's nothing big about this," he said.

Directly after his arrival, Thaksin is expected to apply for temporary release from the Supreme Court. He faces graft charges related to a Ratchadaphisek land deal.

The ex-prime minister will then turn himself in to the Department of Special Investigation over a separate corruption case, Supamas Israpakdi, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said yesterday.

He will then pay his respects to the remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, she said. --The Nation