Life-sized elephants to commemorate Khun Vichai ready for parade

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/life-sized-elephants-commemorate-khun-6920225

Life-sized elephants to commemorate Khun Vichai ready for parade

On Sunday the huge fibreglass models will be paraded through the city

ByTom MackSenior Reporter
09:00, 8 APR 2022
for local news and info

COMMUNITY GIFTS IN MEMORY OF KHUN VICHAI

Two huge elephants made in India and shipped to Leicester are ready to be given as a community gift to the family of Khun Vichai, the owner of Leicester City Football Club, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2018. The massive creatures were paid for by donations made by the local community and organised by former city MP Keith Vaz.

This week marks what would have been Khun Vichai’s 64th birthday and on Monday the club unveiled a statue of the former chairman at the King Power Stadium. The statue was funded by the club and the family of Khun Vichai but Mr Vaz said he felt the community wanted to create its own memorial to the Thai billionaire who helped Leicester win the Premier League for the first time in 2016.

The two grey life size elephants will be presented after a parade along Catherine Street and Belgrave Road on Sunday. Elephants were chosen because they are the national animal of Thailand.

 

Mr Vaz, who has been raising money and organising the event since 2018, said: “It has taken nearly four years to get this project to its conclusion. Because of Covid everything was delayed.

"It is only right that the community itself shows its appreciation for the amazing contribution that Khun Vichai made to the city. He is a Leicester legend.

"I counted him as a friend. He took our city to new heights and we will never forget what he has done for us. We hope that these elephants will bring the club good luck in true Thai tradition and be a permanent 'thank you'."

The parade will begin at 9am on Sunday, April 10, from the Baps Swaminarayan Hindu temple at the top of Catherine Street in Belgrave, Leicester, and proceed to the Belgrave Circle. They will be kept, under guard, at the roundabout overnight before being transported to the stadium.

[SemperEadem]

Just what our ground needs.

[Nalis]

Would be more appropriate if the elephants were white as opposed to grey

Edited 8 April 2022 by Nalis

[GlennyFox55]

Wonder what is hidden inside the elephants if Vaz has organised it.

[RoboFox]

I read the headline and instantly thought of Dumbo. 

[Izzy]

Two life-sized elephants, you'll never sing that

[davieG]

2 minutes ago, Izzy said:

Two life-sized elephants, you'll never sing that

We had  some playing for us back in the day so should have sung it then.

[mozartfox]

Are they going to be named Taylor & Fletcher?

[Spudulike]

Doesn't where abouts they are going to be sited at the stadium. Don't they need planning consent? 

[st albans fox]

Clever fella vaz …… simple way to keep your directors lounge access …. Nothing else to do with his time …..

[ajthefox]

I noticed Keith in a couple pics at the statue ceremony. It seems he's rearing his ugly corrupt head again. Joy.

 

 

[Aus Fox]

We had one in our lounge room, we don’t talk about it though…

[Sol thewall Bamba]

[fazzyfox]

That's Ivory nice gesture

[jonthefox]

So the community can fund a tribute to the owner but not a club legend. 

[Fox92]

5 minutes ago, jonthefox said:

So the community can fund a tribute to the owner but not a club legend. 

Who's this referring too?

[FOXYTALK]

I assume the elephants brought over cleared any passport checks. 😑

[jonthefox]

31 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

Who's this referring too?

Mentioned quite a lot in the statue thread. 

[HybridFox]

One way to address the elephant in the room 

[davieG]

So Vaz gets all his ex-voters and cronies to pay for it and he gets all the kudos.

[Vacamion]

 

You would think that after everything that has ever come out about him (and there is a LOT), that he might have a bit of shame, lie low, live the quiet life and avoid the spotlight.

 

Any decent person would.

 

But no.

 

Elephants.

 

That Van had it spot on.

 

 

[David Hankey]

Will the elephants rest on silk cushions?

[fazzyfox]

In completely unrelated news the club would like to thank Jari Rantanen for responding to their request and returning four pairs of his custom made City shorts for an unspecified future use

Edited 8 April 2022 by fazzyfox

[Out Foxed]

2 hours ago, st albans fox said:

Clever fella vaz …… simple way to keep your directors lounge access …. Nothing else to do with his time …..

i'd rather him do that than what he usually does in his free time

 

alleged penchant for young ruffians and washing machine deals

[Bayfox]

4 hours ago, SemperEadem said:

Just what our ground needs.

Champions of Life size elepgants you'll never sing that.