Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha: The self-made millionaire who led Leicester City to Premier League victory
Thai self-made billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha bought then-Championship club Leicester in 2010 – and helped lead them to a Premier League title six years later.
The 60-year-old was born Vichai Raksriaksorn in Bangkok on April 4 1958, and went on to become Thailand’s fifth-richest man.
He started up a duty free shop in 1989, which eventually saw the King Power brand adorn airports across the country, and is now worth an estimated 4.9 billion US dollars (£3.9 billion), according to Forbes.
Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s affiliation with the Foxes began as part of a shirt sponsorship deal, before brokering the £39 million consortium takeover deal from Milan Mandaric.
Leicester won promotion back to the top flight in 2014 – and Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, who became chairman in February 2011, pledged a commitment of some £180 million to break into the top five and the somewhat ambitious target of European football over the next three years.
With the 2015-2016 Premier League title putting the media-shy Thai tycoon firmly in the spotlight, he became known as a man not adverse to public displays of emotions or indeed generosity.
Ahead of the next campaign, some 19 BMW i8s cars, costing £100,000 each, were handed out to players as a mark of appreciation for their achievements.
A keen polo player, helping establish the Thailand Polo Association and owner of the Bangkok VR Polo Club, Mr Srivaddhanaprabha also completed the purchase of Belgian football club OH Leuven last year. The First Division B team is currently managed by former Foxes boss Nigel Pearson.
Mr Srivaddhanaprabha is married to Aimon and the couple have four children – Voramas, Apichet, Arunroong and Aiyawatt.
The new family surname of Srivaddhanaprabha was bestowed by King Bhumibol, former monarch of Thailand, in 2013.
It means “light of progressive glory” in Thai, as recognition of the business’s many corporate and social responsibility programmes, including education and children’s health issues.
Prince William had known Mr Srivaddhanaprabha for "several years" and praised his "big contribution" to football.
In a statement, the Duke said: "He was a businessman of strong values who was dedicated to his family and who supported a number of important charitable causes.
"He made such a big contribution to football, not least through Leicester City's magical 2016 season that captured the imagination of the world."