Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra was joined by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and midfielder Kelvin Etuhu on his flight back to Thailand where he hopes to restore his "unfairly tarnished" reputation.
In stark contrast to their boss, who was taken into custody by police on his arrival in Bangkok, Schmeichel and Etuhu plan to partake in soccer clinics with Thai children and work out with the national team.
The 58-year-old former Thai Prime Minister, who faces trial on corruption charges on March 12th, later posted bail of €177,000 at the Supreme Court and told the Bangkok Post: "I have returned to prove my innocence and restore my reputation, which has been unfairly tarnished. 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," added Shinawatra, who is now barred from leaving the country without permission.
He 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."
