Foreign Ministry coordinates transport of Vichai’s body

The Foreign Ministry is facilitating the delivery of the body of Leicester City Football Club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who died in a helicopter crash in Leicester City on Saturday.

The Thai embassy in London is working with British and Thai agencies to prepare the paperwork required for the transport of the body, said Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on Tuesday.

The investigation into the cause of the helicopter accident is underway, said Ruyaporn Sukontasap, acting spokeswoman for the ministry.

Vichai was among the five people on board the helicopter which left the stadium after a football match Saturday night and crashed shortly afterwards outside King Power Stadium. All were confirmed dead.

Condolence messages continued to pour in on the second day after Vichai’s death was confirmed on Monday.

Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez dedicated his winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur to Vichai, describing the death of the Leicester City owner as “heartbreaking”, reported The Guardian.

Mahrez left the King Power Stadium after four successful years there in the summer, a period which included the club’s improbable Premier League triumph of 2016. After giving City a sixth‑minute lead at Wembley on Monday evening the Algerian paid a silent tribute to Vichai and pointed fingers to the sky.

On his Instagram account, Mahrez posted two pictures of him taken with Vichai in which the latter playfully twisting his ears, along with a message saying: "One of the best persons I've ever met. I will never forget you. Rest In Peace Vichai".

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel wrote an open letter to the owner in which he expressed his admiration for him "as a leader, as a father and as a man", reported the BBC.

"It is difficult to put into words how much you have meant to this football club and to the city of Leicester," he added.

Many of Leicester's players referred to Srivaddhanaprabha as "The Boss".

"I cannot believe this is happening. I am so totally devastated and heartbroken. I just cannot believe what I saw last night. It just doesn't seem real!" added Mr Schmeichel.

In Thailand, those who personally knew Vichai, including staff at King Power International Group, mainly described him in their condolence messages as a kind and generous boss who is undoubtedly loved by all employees.

Vichai was owner and chairman of the duty-free giant. 

Princess Ubolratana posted on Monday on her Instagram saying: “My condolences to Mr. Vichai’s Family, friends and colleagues. It’s also a great loss to the football world. Very sorry, indeed and I’m praying for #LCFC #LeisterCity #KingPower #RIP.”

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was among other well-known Thai figures posting messages of condolence to the family of Vichai.

On his Facebook account, Thaksin described Vichai as a great businessman and loving father.