"We will provide safety for him once he returns home to defend the charges as it is our duties. I can give assurance that all relevant governmental authorities will give him the needed security," Surayud said.

Surayud was speaking after Department of Special Investigation issued a summon for Thaksin, his wife, Pojaman, to show up from June 26-29 to receive formal charges on alleged share concealment in the case linking British Virgin Islands-registered Win Mark with his family's property company, SC Asset.

Surayud said that Thaksin will not be taken into custody if he returned home as he is still considered innocent.

Thaksin earlier vowed that he will end his exile and returned home to defend the orders of Assets Examination Committee, which froze his assets. He has since then backed down from what was initially deemed a knee-jerk reaction.

Thaksin has been in exile after being ousted by the military junta in September last year.

Surayud said it will be good if Thaksin contacted the government before returning to Thailand.