Leicester City delegation attends Bangkok memorial for chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha on weekend of high emotion

A Leicester City delegation has arrived at the memorial service for their chairman in Thailand as tributes are paid a week on from his fatal helicopter crash.

Players and supporters honoured Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha at the Cardiff City Stadium, where the Foxes won 1-0 in their first fixture since last weekend's tragedy.

Leicester manager Claude Puel and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel led the delegation.
Jamie Vardy offered a prayer to the former club honour.
Leicester players and staff arrive at the Wat Thepsirin Temple in Bangkok. Credit: AP

Selected members of the Leicester squad flew out after the game to join the week-long memorial in Bangkok.

ITV News Asia Correspondent Debi Edward recorded the delegation's arrival at the Wat Thepsirin Temple on Sunday.

She reported the club delegation includes 14 players, plus staff and directors.

They arrived for a 7.00pm (local time) funeral service, which will also be attended by the Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.

It came after an emotional victory on Saturday, following a minute's silence that was observed by players and fans.

Demarai Gray scored the game's only goal in the second-half, and celebrated by removing his jersey to reveal a shirt emblazoned with the words "For Khun Vichai".

Mourners had been seen arriving at the Buddhist temple to honour Vichai on Saturday as the lengthy traditional tribute began.

A week-long memorial is being held for Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in Bangkok. Credit: AP
Mourners arrive for the memorial service in Bangkok. Credit: AP
A Buddhist temple is hosting the many days of tributes in Thailand. Credit: AP

It began a week to the day he and four others lost their lives near the King Power ground.

Leicester fans earlier gathered at the stadium on Saturday to add to the vast sea of scarves, shirts and flowers before boarding buses for south Wales.

Fans sported the white t-shirt, given out to supporters for free by the club. Credit: PA
Supporters also paid tribute to their owner on club flags. Credit: PA

Tributes were made on the pitch, with players and fans alike sporting white t-shirts with a picture of Vichai under the words "The Boss".

Fans and teams observed a minute's silence across the football league on Saturday.

A minute's silence was held ahead of the Cardiff-Leicester match. Credit: PA
Bournemouth and Manchester United players paid tribute to the crash victims while also pausing ahead of Armistice Day in the Premier League's first kick-off. Credit: PA

The city has seen an outpouring of emotion and been inundated with wishes from across the country over the last week.

Fan tributes are lined around the side of Leicester City's stadium. Credit: ITV News

Nusara Suknamai, Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz also died in the crash last Saturday after a 1-1 draw with West Ham United.

Leicester boss Claude Puel led the senior players, including captain Wes Morgan, striker Jamie Vardy and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, on the trip abroad to support Vichai's family.

The death of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others shocked the world of football. Credit: PA

The group from the club is due to return on Tuesday ahead of next weekend's visit of Burnley.

It will be the first home game since the tragedy.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha enjoyed unexpected Premier League title success during his ownership of the club. Credit: ITV News

Thai billionaire Vichai, 60, was known for arriving and leaving the stadium in his helicopter.

Ahead of the memorial, Vardy paid tribute to Vichai as a "fun, loving guy" who always had a smile on his face.

"He was like the father figure of the group, wanting to be like that not just with the players, but the fans as well, to be as one," he said.

"He wasn't just a chairman, he always made sure that he went out of his way to get to know you on a personal level, with your families.

"He took us in as his extended family and that's exactly what we did with him. It has been one of the hardest weeks that myself and the lads have had to go through."

The wreckage from the helicopter crash was moved from the stadium on Thursday night. Credit: PA

Flight data and voice recordings from the helicopter have been obtained as an investigation continues into the crash.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it was able to obtain information from the AW169 helicopter's black box despite it being subject to "intense heat" in the post-accident fire.

The wreckage was moved to a specialist facility after being lifted by a crane from the crash site on Thursday evening.

Inspectors have begun a detailed analysis of the data as they attempt to find out what caused the aircraft to plunge to the ground shortly after take-off.