"I did my best to fulfill my duty as a prime minister installed via an election and who preserved democracy," she said.

"It's the same as if the people had handed me the car keys and said I must drive and lead the country. Then suddenly, someone points a gun at my head and tells me to get out of the car while I 'm at the wheel driving the people forward."

Yingluck said that if in 2016 there is a general election and she is still qualified to stand, she intends to run for parliament. The NCPO has issued a road map which includes drafting a new charter by the latter half of next year. A general election is expected at the beginning of 2016.

"I don't know what the future holds," she said.

Yingluck said she now takes care of the house and looks after her only son, Supasek "Nong Pipe" Amornchat, to fill the time taken up for more than two years by the frenetic schedule of being prime minister.

Whiling away the time, she now cultivates mushrooms in her garden at her home in Bangkok. She said it is soothing to watch what she grows.

She is thinking about writing a book about her life as prime minister. She said she remembers "who did and said what" during her administration, which might be material for the book, if she decides to become an author.

Yingluck and her son went on a trip to Japan last month after they were given the green light from the NCPO. There they met with Thaksin. But Yingluck maintained she has no plans to escape legal cases against her.

"I told Gen Prayut before I took the overseas trips that he should rest assured. I won't run away," she said.