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What was Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s net worth, how did he earn his money, and when did Thai businessman buy Leicester City?
The Foxes' owner has been confirmed to have died after his helicopter crash landed outside the King Power Stadium
THE Leicester City and football community are in shock after the club's owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's helicopter crashed outside the King Power Stadium.
The 60-year-old Thai billionaire died in the blaze, just moments after watching his side draw with West Ham.
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What was Vichai's Srivaddhanaprabha's net worth?
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was the fifth richest man from Thailand in 2018.
According to Forbes, the Leicester City owner was worth $5billion (£3.9billion).
Shortly before his death, he was ranked 388th in the world, level with Bet365 founder Denise Coates and Virgin head honcho Richard Branson.
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How did he earn his wealth?
Srivaddhanaprabha earned his wealth through his company King Power, a chain of duty-free shops in Thailand.
He started the company in 1989, with his first store opening in Mahatun Plaza.
He eventually earned licenses to operate at Bangkok's two major airports and was granted the sole right to manage duty-free business at the World Trade Centre in the Thai capital, a privilege previously given to the country's tourism board.
King Power received the royal warrant from the King of Thailand in 2009 - seven years later, the company purchase a $226million stake in Thai AirAsia, the nation's biggest budget airline, to become its second largest shareholder.
When did he buy Leicester City?
Srivaddhanaprabha and King Power had sponsored the Foxes' shirts for three years, before Milan Mandaric sold the football club to the Thai billionaire in 2010.
Within five years of the take over, the 60-year-old had cancelled out Leicester's debts, seen them promoted from the Championship, before winning the Premier League in one of the greatest fairy tales.
In May 2017, Srivaddhanaprabha expanded his footballing empire, after acquiring Belgium second tier team Oud-Heverlee Leuven, who are currently managed by ex-Foxes boss Nigel Pearson.
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