Khun Vichai & Companions Remembered Two Years On At King Power Stadium
The 27 October will be a date forever etched in the hearts and minds of everyone associated with Leicester City, following the helicopter accident of 2018 on Filbert Way that claimed the lives of Khun Vichai, staff members Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, and pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz.
As time passes since that heart-breaking evening, Khun Vichai’s memory continues to inspire everybody at Leicester City, as we seek to honour the generosity of spirit of the Club’s former patriarch.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, proceedings on Tuesday morning were modestly staged at The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden. Chief Executive Susan Whelan led a Leicester City representation which also included manager Brendan Rodgers and the First Team squad’s three longest-serving players – Club captain Wes Morgan, vice-captain Kasper Schmeichel and striker Jamie Vardy.
The ceremony began with a chanting ceremony led by eight Buddhist monks – a familiar custom during 10 years under King Power’s ownership. Floral tributes were then laid at the garden’s tribute well, which contains permanently sealed parcels of hand-written notes from supporters, left outside the stadium in the aftermath of the accident.
Proceedings to honour Khun Vichai were also hosted in Bangkok – where Chairman Khun Aiyawatt and the Srivaddhanaprabha family were in attendance – and in Leuven, home of the King Power-owned Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven.
Leicester City CEO Susan Whelan said: “Today is a poignant day that prompts difficult memories for everyone associated with Leicester City and for the entire King Power family. The tragic events of 27 October, 2018 will stay with us forever.
“In normal circumstances, it is an occasion we would share with our community, as we were able to a year ago, together remembering those we lost, including a leader whose kindness and love left an indelible impression on so many lives.
“But while today’s formal proceedings were limited in numbers, together we continue to honour Khun Vichai’s memory every day, striving to progress, improve and build for the future he envisaged for the Club – a vision Khun Aiyawatt has always shared and the pursuit of which he now leads with our unending support.”
Under the dedicated guidance of Khun Vichai, Leicester City were transformed from a side which had recently competed in League 1 to Premier League champions in just six years.
But while the on-field memories are plentiful, everybody associated with the Club also remembers Khun Vichai as a man who oversaw an incredible period of growth for Leicester City and inspired a sense of belonging in the city of Leicester rarely experienced before.
As the Club basked in the glory of its finest hour and tackled European football’s elite in the UEFA Champions League, our former Chairman did not forget the people of his adopted city.
Over his entire Chairmanship, Khun Vichai personally donated in excess of £4M to local causes, while often also dedicating his time to more modest causes, away from the public eye.
In the present day, Leicester City is preparing to move into a state-of-the-art new training facility in Seagrave, north Leicestershire – a central pillar of Khun Vichai’s dream – while also embarking on another European adventure under the management of Brendan Rodgers.
Indeed, preparations for the latest leg of that adventure were factored into Tuesday’s plans, with First Team training switched from Belvoir Drive to King Power Stadium. After the conclusion of the formal ceremony, the remainder of the squad had the opportunity to visit the Memorial Garden, before resuming focus on preparations for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League trip to AEK Athens. The squad departs for the Greek capital on Wednesday.
The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden is open to the general public during daylight hours and can be accessed behind the East Stand of King Power Stadium.