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FINAL GOODBYE

Jamie Vardy & Leicester squad join King of Thailand to pay their respects at cremation of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

Foxes squad who weren't on international duty travelled to Bangkok to say a final farewell to the club's late chairman

LEICESTER players and staff were accompanied by the King of Thailand as they attended the cremation ceremony of the club's late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Brendan Rodgers and those who weren't on international duty travelled to Bangkok as the Foxes said a final farewell to their beloved chairman.

 Leicester players and staff attended the cremation ceremony of late chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in Bangkok
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Leicester players and staff attended the cremation ceremony of late chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in BangkokCredit: AFP

Vichai was one of five people that passed away in October after his helicopter crashed outside the King Power Stadium.

The 60-year-old took ownership of Leicester in 2010, and oversaw their promotion to the Premier League, as well as their underdog story as his side won the top-flight in the 2015/16 season.

His funeral was held in November where it lasted a number of days, and in keeping with Buddhist beliefs, his body has been kept in rest for 100 days.

While the much-loved businessman was also given 'royal sponsorship' due to his stellar status in his native country.

Vichai's body will now be cremated as part of the final funeral process.

His family took part in a procession before the ceremony, before King Maha Vajiralongkorn lit the fire to start the cremation.

King Maha took the crown in late 2016 following the death of his father - where he became the oldest Thai monarch to ascend to the throne.

He was an incredible leader and for all his wealth he was a good person."

Brendan Rodgers

Leicester are due back in the UK on Saturday morning as they begin preparations for their clash against Bournemouth a week later.

Boss Rodgers has paid tribute to Vichai, as he said: "Coming into the club I've got a real sense of what he meant to everyone.

"He was an incredible leader and for all his wealth he was a good person."

While he has also insisted he intends to honour his memory by winning trophies for Leicester.

Rodgers added: "When I came into the club, the vision I presented to Top (Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha) was very simple: it was to win as many titles as we could.

"So let's not shy away from it, we want to win and that's why I came here.

"And to defend what the owners have wanted to achieve and helping them gain further success in the future."

Leicester currently sit tenth in the table - three points behind Wolves in seventh spot.

 King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn lit the fire to start the cremation
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King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn lit the fire to start the cremationCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Wes Morgan was one of a number of players that travelled to Thailand to pay their respects to Vichai
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Wes Morgan was one of a number of players that travelled to Thailand to pay their respects to VichaiCredit: AFP
 Vichai's body had been kept for 100 days after his funeral as part of Buddhist tradition
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Vichai's body had been kept for 100 days after his funeral as part of Buddhist traditionCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Vichai's son, Aiyawatt, has succeeded his father as the chairman of the Foxes
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Vichai's son, Aiyawatt, has succeeded his father as the chairman of the FoxesCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Thai Buddhist monks walk in during the cremation ceremony for Vichai
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Thai Buddhist monks walk in during the cremation ceremony for VichaiCredit: AP:Associated Press
Who was Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha? Leicester City owner dead following helicopter crash outside King Power Stadium
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