A week-long funeral for Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has begun at a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, a week after he died in a helicopter crash in Britain, local media report.
Sponsored by Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the elaborate funeral for 60-year-old Vichai, the fifth-richest person in Thailand who made his fortune from an airport duty free monopoly, began one day after his body was flown to his hometown of Bangkok, local news website INN reported.
The rites on Saturday at Debsirindrawas Ratchaworawiharn Temple involved a bathing ceremony with the water provided by the king, followed by Buddhist chanting, which will be repeated every evening until Friday. It was attended by Vichai's family and members of Thailand's elite.
The king also provided a lavish octagonal urn and court musicians for the funeral, the website reported.
Vichai was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed just outside Leicester's pitch after a match with West Ham last Saturday.
He took ownership of Leicester in 2010, pouring money into the club and becoming a popular figure in the city through his many charitable donations.
But his popularity peaked when the team won the Premier League for the first time in 2016.
The majority of Leicester's squad, management and key staff would fly by private jet to the funeral following their match at Cardiff City on Saturday, Sky Sports reported.
They will spend less than 36 hours in Bangkok before flying back to prepare for next Saturday's match against Burnley, which will be their first at home since the crash, according to the channel.
Australian Associated Press
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Margaret River Mail
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