Warm welcome for Beckham in Bangkok

Warm welcome for Beckham in Bangkok

It was smiles all around on Saturday when retired football star David Beckham posed for a group photograph. The former English player appeared briefly to conduct soccer drills and address a crowd of about a hundred young soccer fans as part of a promotional event, the AIA Football Clinic for Youth with Leading Coaches. (AP photo)
It was smiles all around on Saturday when retired football star David Beckham posed for a group photograph. The former English player appeared briefly to conduct soccer drills and address a crowd of about a hundred young soccer fans as part of a promotional event, the AIA Football Clinic for Youth with Leading Coaches. (AP photo)

Britain’s most iconic footballer, David Beckham, came to Bangkok on Saturday to celebrate the 80th anniversary of AIA Thailand as the insurance giant’s global brand ambassador. The legendary No.7 for Manchester United who is now president of Inter Miami CF in the US received a warm welcome from his Thai fans who flocked to IMPACT Exhibition Center for his visit.

Apart from promoting the event and greeting fans, Beckham also had time to answer some questions from the local media on various subjects including his previous clubs, his motivation for a healthy lifestyle and his love for our country. Here are some excerpts from the interview.

What are your thoughts on the challenges facing Manchester United and Real Madrid right now?

“I think every team goes through challenges but they are two of the biggest clubs in the world with great managers. Obviously, Real Madrid is going through a certain change, but I think all big teams go through difficult times. I wouldn’t say it’s a crisis in any way but I just think that when you have been so successful and then you have a couple of games where you don’t play well, people start talking about it but they will be fine.”

We all saw it on AIA’s “What’s Your Why?” campaign why you want to live a healthy life, but can you explain it to us in your own words?

“It is important because it is about sending the right message. Being a role model, one of the reasons why I wanted to partner with AIA is because they were sending the right message to so many different people to help them live a longer and healthier life. With myself, I have four children and I want to set the right example for them. It is about the small changes and doing the small things that sometimes actually make a big difference. Sometimes it is the things that we do not think about every day. That is the message that we are trying to send.”

“You have always scored amazing goals but Thailand has never qualified for the World Cup. How do you think can they do it?”

“I think it is hard work. At the end of the day, there are many talented players in Thailand. I have played against many teams and many players here and it is always tough. So first it is hard work, then you get success, and that has to start from the grassroots. You have to look at the academies. You have to look at the coaches. When there’s a good structure in place, then things can be successful but it takes time and patience.”

What about your take on healthy diet, what priority should that be?

“I love to eat healthy food, so I wouldn’t say it’s a struggle. It’s a lifestyle choice and I think it is down to the individual. If you make small changes, we can all eat whatever we want to eat. I think it is about balance individual choice. I love Thai food, all of it, as I enjoy spicy food but it is about balance so, at the end of the day, I try to eat as healthily as possible. We all live busy lives, we travel to different places and the majority of us have jobs and children and I know how hard it is to find time to have breakfast … but when you walk out of the front door, you can grab a banana or something to eat. That can make a difference.”

As you have visited Thailand a few times, what do you most appreciate about the country?

“This could be a long answer because there are so many things and not just because I am here in front of you! I have been coming here for so many years and I always love coming back because of the people and the fans who are always so welcoming. Most of the times that I have been here I was a footballer so I can understand the people loving me for the team that I played for, but now I’m here on my own it is nice to see the support and the love that I get personally. I am a big foodie and love going to different places around the world. This is one of my favourite places to come because I am always welcomed with open arms and the food is incredible so it is the best of both worlds for me. I never need an excuse to come back here because every time that I do, it really is amazing. I love everything here to be honest.”

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