He posted eight million baht (250,000 US dollars) and one million baht (31,300 dollars) as bail respectively to the two justice bodies to get the temporary release, with a condition that he not leave the country without a permission by the court.

The Supreme Court set March 12 as the date for a hearing against Thaksin and his wife Pojaman on charges relating to a controversial land deal on Bangkok's Ratchadapisek Road in 2003, in which the ex-premier was accused of power abuse to help his wife get the government-auctioned land plot at a low price.

Thaksin then headed to the Office of the Attorney General, where he was charged by the Department of Special Investigation, of consealing assets in the SC Asset company.

Thailand's coup-ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, China, February 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)