At the start of the soccer season, who would have believed one million people could bring Bangkok to a standstill in honor of… Leicester City?
But that’s exactly what happened Thursday when the Premier League’s most unlikely champion ever paraded the trophy through the streets of the capital of Thailand.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri and his players, who finished 10 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, visited Bangkok as guests of the club’s Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
And despite forecasts of rain and the release of details of the parade only a day earlier, the streets of the soccer-mad city were packed as fans flocked to hail Ranieri and his band of heroes.
Foxes stars including goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and captain Wes Morgan soaked up the acclaim from the top of an open-top bus as it was led by a convoy of Thai tuk-tuks adorned with Leicester’s badge.
Darren Robinson, who hails from Leicester and now runs a sports bar in Thailand, told CNN the team’s visit was “massive.”
“It’s my club and has been since I was four years old,” he added. “My first game was in 1969 — my dad took me, and I have been hooked ever since.”
His young son Connor said: “When I grow up, maybe I’ll be Leicester City player… or maybe I’ll be a Leicester City fan.”
Parinda Chanprakhon, who has followed the Foxes on their stunning journey from relegation struggler to winner, dressed in the club’s blue and white colors as she took in the occasion with friends.
“I’m so excited and so impressed by Leicester City — I like them very much,” she told CNN.
But it wasn’t just Leicester fans paying tribute to what the club has achieved in this most remarkable of seasons.
Will Fearon, a Bolton supporter, explained: “I came for the atmosphere, and I think it’s an amazing thing Leicester has done. It’s been a bit of a fairytale.”
The Foxes, it’s fair to say, have well and truly shaken up the old order of soccer in England.
And now they are on the way to doing the same in Thailand, where most soccer fans have tended to follow traditionally powerful clubs such as Manchester United or Liverpool.
Sitthidej Manop attended the parade wearing a United shirt but said: “Today I’m here to give my support to Leicester, because I’m proud.
“It feels like the Thai people have won the Premier League.”