Leicester City FC are pictured on their knees at the funeral of their chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in Thailand today
Star Leicester players have paid tribute to their popular Thai club
owner at his Buddhist funeral in Bangkok after he was killed in a
helicopter crash at the King Power stadium last week.
Striker Jamie Vardy and centre back Harry Maguire were among the
players who knelt in front of a shrine dedicated to Vichai
Srivaddhanaprabha to lay flowers on day two of his seven-day funeral.
Star striker Jamie Vardy (right) is pictured praying after offering a floral tribute to his late boss Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
Leicester City manager Claude Puel and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel
also bowed their heads as they listened to tributes at a Buddhist
temple in Bangkok today.
The much-loved Thai businessman, 60, won an eternal place in
Leicester's hearts by helping the side to a fairytale Premier League
title in 2016.
Leicester and England star Harry Maguire is pictured preparing to lay a floral tribute at Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's funeral
His team flew out to Thailand after an emotional victory against
Cardiff yesterday in their first match since the helicopter disaster, in
which he and four other people died.
Today is day two of a seven-day Buddhist funeral for the Thai
billionaire, after hundreds of mourners, politicians, celebrities and
businessmen arrived attended a quiet, private ceremony beyond the glare
of the media yesterday.
Leicester
City manager Claude Puel (left) looks sombre as he sits with goalkeeper
Kasper Schmeichel (right) during funeral proceedings in Thailand for
billionaire club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in Bangkok today.
Schmeichel has described running towards the burning helicopter after it
crashed down outside Leicester's King Power stadium
Guests drawn from Thailand's upper echelons of society have arrived
over the past two days to the temple, in luxury minivans, a Bentley and
other high-end cars, a reflection of the circles the billionaire moved
in.
Princess Siriwanwaree Nareerat of Thailand was among the guests on
the second day, in a ceremony which has been granted 'royal sponsorship'
in recognition of Vichai's standing in the country.
Leicester's Danny Simpson is pictured waiting to lay his floral tribute to the late club owner at the
start of seven-day funeral proceedings in Bangkok, Thailand
Newin Chidchob, a former Thai politician and owner of football team
Buriram United, was also among the mourners on Sunday as workers at the
temple decorated it with flowers.
The Leicester squad including manager Claude Puel, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and captain Wes Morgan arrived at a Buddhist
temple in Bangkok earlier today wearing dark suits for the funeral of a man dubbed a 'father' to the team
The Leicester players arrived on day two to pay their own respects
to the owner. They will be attending services on Sunday and Monday and
are expected to return to the United Kingdom on Tuesday morning.
The ceremony has already had regal touches, with an octagonal urn
among the items given by the monarchy and court musicians playing drums
and flutes during royally-sponsored bathing rites.
Leicester
City players arrive for the funeral in Bangkok today, with manager
Claude Puel and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel at the
front of the group, a day after the Foxes secured an emotional 1-0 win against Cardiff City in the Premier League
Family and friends repeatedly poured scented water over his hands
using a special flask. The water is meant to ritually purify the body,
bringing blessings.
White sheets were lowered to stop outsiders and media viewing the
proceedings on the first day of the Buddhist funeral yesterday.
The players flew out to Thailand after an emotional victory against Cardiff yesterday in their first match since
the helicopter disaster, in which owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (pictured) and four other people died
However the chanting of monks, amplified by loud speakers, could be heard resonating around the temple's grounds.
During the seven-day funeral Buddhist monks will recite prayers
from religious texts and afterwards the body will be kept for 100 days
before a cremation.
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Source: Daily Mail UK
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