Leicester became the national football team of Thailand 2
A year ago, no one thought that would happen.
The land of golden pagodas is a football market that has long been exploited by big teams.
Leicester fans at an exchange in Bangkok.
When Shinji Okazaki threw the ball to bring the `Foxes` a 1-0 victory over Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle, the Bangkok Post wrote on their fanpage: `Thai football fans can forget Man Utd, Liverpool or
That is not an exaggeration of this newspaper.
“I used to be a Man Utd fan but now I completely support Leicester,” one fan told the BBC.
Another person, Sorrapat Sriparn, admitted to being a Liverpool fan but silently supported Leicester to win the championship this year.
Many Thai fans switched to supporting Leicester when they learned that this club was owned by Thais.
“I became a Leicester fan since King Power Group acquired the club.
Leicester fans in Thailand nickname this team `The Thai Foxes` due to its origin as owned by billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
“I support Leicester because their level has increased and of course because this team is owned by Thai people.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is not someone who likes to appear in the media.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s dream is to make Leicester the most popular team in Thailand.
King Power does not ignore the increasingly strong growth of Leicester fans in Thailand.
Vichai was very skillful in integrating Thai culture into the plan to promote the image of this team.
“I supported Leicesterser in the match against Arsenal because we consider them a Thai team.
Leicester’s stars are affectionately called `The Thai Foxes`.
Vichai’s dream is to make the name Leicester as popular as Man Utd or Liverpool in his hometown.
Leicester have seven more matches ahead and they will have to work very hard if they want the unfinished fairy tale to have a happy ending.
Di Khanh
