Vardy tears for Vichai
STARS BATTLE TEARS
LEICESTER City stars fought back tears as they said prayers for the club’s late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel and team-mates flew 12,000 miles to join the commemorations in Thailand.
They were pictured kneeling at a Buddhist shrine in Bangkok dedicated to the billionaire, who died in a helicopter crash.
Goalie Schmeichel said: “We are a family and wanted to pay our last respects together.
“Everyone grieves in different ways and the opportunity was given to attend the funeral and we wanted to go.”
Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was one of five people killed when his chopper crashed seconds after taking off from the centre spot at the club’s King Power Stadium.
The team flew out to Thailand on Saturday after they beat Cardiff City 1-0 in a Premier League clash in the Welsh capital.
Schmeichel was one of the first on the scene when the helicopter crashed and had to be held back from rushing to the inferno.
The Dane added: “It was nice to get a win to take to Thailand now and hopefully we did his family proud.
“You couldn’t ask for a better chairman. There are few people who come along in this life that have an impact on you. He had that on me and so many people, and the outpouring of grief around the world shows that.
“I feel just an overwhelming sense of pride of being part of the family that Vichai built and the extended family of Leicester City.”
Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s funeral will last seven days and his remains will be placed in a giant urn donated by the king of Thailand.
TRAGEDY: Owner Vichai Mourners came from all corners of the Asian country to pay their respects to the man who transformed Leicester City from also-runs to runaway Premier League winners.
The players will also be present for services today. Monks will read aloud prayers for seven days and then the body will be kept for 100 days before it is cremated.
The team fly back to the UK tomorrow. Their next game is at home to Burnley on Saturday.