On Tuesday Thaksin's chief lawyer said the deposed premier will return to the country if he is charged with involvement in a controversial land plot purchased by his wife and the new airport's bomb-detection scanners.

The lawyer said Thaksin is ready to return to prove his innocence and said there has been an attempt to harass him, his wife and children.

Surayud said the decision would be based on national security.

"The government deals with all cases of the former prime minister through the legal procedures. If they claim that they are not appropriate let the court consider it," he said.

Thammasat University law lecturer Prinya Thaewanarumitkul said the CNS should allow Thaksin to return to fight the graft charges. If the junta continues to block the deposed premier's return it will not benefit the CNS, adding they should not be overly concerned about Thaksin's possible return.

"It seems Thaksin is playing the role of democracy champion who is being persecuted by a dictatorial government," he said.

Meanwhile, a source from the Thai Rak Thai Party said Thaksin had discussed his return with Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and that Chavalit had suggested Thaksin should not return to the country at the moment.

"Chavalit told Thaksin that he should monitor the political situation day by day and that it would not benefit Thaksin if he came back during this period," the source said.