The billionaire owner tragically died in the horrific helicopter crash that took place just outside Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Saturday 27 October at 8.30pm, less than an hour after the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham ended.
Thoughtful
The billionaire owner endeared himself to fans with whiskey, beer and unprecedented success.
A Leicester City fan, who has asked to remain anonymous, said it was a “well-known thing” that the owner would leave glasses and a bottle of whiskey for fans to toast loved ones before home games.
“We have a memorial garden just outside of the ground where fans of the club go before games to commemorate the lives of their loved ones,” the season ticket holder said.
“Vichai used to leave a bottle of whiskey and some glasses before each game for fans wishing to raise a toast to their lost ones.
“If there’s anything you need to know about him, it’s that he was the most caring, gentle and gracious man that you could ever hope to meet.”
The touching gesture is just one of many that saw Leicester fans and players grow so fond of the 60-year-old Thai billionaire over the past eight years.
All heart
After the Foxes climbed the Championship and achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2014, the duty-free tycoon took the whole team and staff to an exclusive restaurant in west London to thank them for their efforts.
Mr Srivaddhanaprabha also kept in his mind the Foxes fans, treating them with a free pint of beer to celebrate landmark achievements of the team.
He repeated his act of kindness on the day of his birthday, 3 April, in 2016, when he gave away free beers, as well as doughnuts and hot dogs.
A year later, when Premier League survival was confirmed, Srivaddhanaprabha rewarded fans with a free pint of beer to celebrate.
And success was achieved in the 5,000-1 title-winning 2015-16 season that stunned the world.
Leicester fans are now raising a toast to remember their loved late owner as they flock in their thousands to pay their respects at the memorial just outside the ground.