Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
Born	Vichai Raksriaksorn (1958-04-04) 4 April 1958
Died	27 October 2018(2018-10-27) (aged 60)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, Businessman
Known for	Founder and chairman of King Power; owner of Leicester City F.C.

Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (; originally named Vichai Raksriaksorn; 4 April 1958 – 27 October 2018) was a Thai billionaire entrepreneur, who founded, owned, and chaired King Power. He held ownership of the Premier League club Leicester City from 2010 until his tragic death in a helicopter accident near the team's King Power Stadium in 2018.

Career

Vichai established and led King Power, a prominent duty-free retail operator. In December 2009, King Power was honored with the royal warrant by King Bhumibol of Thailand during a formal event attended by Vichai himself. By October 2018, Forbes listed him as Thailand’s fifth wealthiest individual, estimating his fortune at approximately US$4.9 billion.

His passion for football was sparked after witnessing the 1997 League Cup final between Leicester City and Middlesbrough. In August 2010, Vichai and his son Aiyawatt took ownership of English Football League Championship side Leicester City via the Asia Football Investments group. Vichai assumed the role of chairman in February 2011, with Aiyawatt becoming vice chairman shortly thereafter. That July, the club’s Walkers Stadium was renamed as the King Power Stadium.

During Vichai’s stewardship, Leicester City accomplished an unprecedented feat by securing the 2015–16 Premier League championship despite being 5000/1 outsiders. To honor the squad’s achievement, he presented each of the 19 players with a BMW i8 valued at £100,000 prior to the start of the 2016–17 season.

Further extending his football interests, Vichai acquired Belgian side OH Leuven in May 2017.

Personal life

Born into a Thai Chinese lineage, Vichai Raksriaksorn’s father, Wiwat Raksriaksorn, originated from Zhao'an, Fujian, China. Vichai was married to Aimon and fathered four children: Voramas, Apichet, Aroonroong, and Aiyawatt. In 2012, the Thai monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej bestowed upon the family the surname Srivaddhanaprabha, which translates to "light of progressive glory." He was awarded an honorary law doctorate from the University of Leicester in 2016. His education included studies in Taiwan and the United States during his youth.

An enthusiastic polo player, Vichai owned Bangkok’s VR Polo Club and acted as president of London’s Ham Polo Club between 2008 and 2012. His sons Apichet and Aiyawatt competed for Thailand’s national polo team at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, where they secured a silver medal.

Firmly believing that karma played a role in Leicester City F.C.’s achievements, Vichai supported Buddhist temples and monks to foster positive karma. He maintained close ties with Thai monk Phra Prommangkalachan and others who regularly blessed the team both in England and Thailand. This spiritual dimension was a key element of his ownership philosophy. In 2015, Aiyawatt temporarily ordained as a Buddhist monk for one month.

In April 2019, The Asian Awards honored Vichai with the Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award.

Death

On 27 October 2018, Vichai's AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter crashed shortly after departing from King Power Stadium. Witnesses described the aircraft spinning uncontrollably before crashing and erupting into flames. The following day, it was confirmed that Vichai, along with the two pilots and two passengers aboard, had perished in the accident. Fans and players from Leicester City and other teams paid their respects by leaving tributes outside the stadium. Vichai's funeral in Thailand spanned eight days, commencing on 3 November. He continues to be warmly remembered by Leicester City supporters.

In January 2025, the family of Srivaddhanaprabha initiated legal proceedings against Leonardo, the helicopter’s manufacturer, pursuing damages exceeding £2 billion for lost income and related claims.