Fake Thai fans paid to cheer Leicester City’s open-top bus during Bangkok victory parade
King Power employees paid £10 to attend the parade
THOUSANDS of Thais were paid to pose as Leicester City fans for the club’s Premier League victory parade in Thailand, we can reveal.
Masses lined roads in club colours to wave at the stars as the open-top bus weaved through Bangkok.
Club captain Wes Morgan said: “We’ve had some special receptions when we’ve arrived in Thailand in the past, but nothing like this. This is incredible.”
But many there had responded to a social media advert offering to pay people for a “Leicester parade job”. They were to get 500 baht, just under a tenner.
They were asked to meet at the Bangkok HQ of the King Power company, the travel retail group owned by the owners of the club — and after which their stadium is named.
They were also given free club T-shirts and urged to clap and chant during the celebration.
A source in Bangkok said: “Some of the people in blue at the parade were paid. I spoke to a large number and they were all given £10 to attend. Many were King Power employees.
“They were also given free T-shirts.” Roads were closed for the celebration on Thursday. It was part of a week-long tour organised by the club’s tycoon owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Some players, including Jamie Vardy, 29, and Riyad Mahrez, 25, could not make it. The club declined to comment on the fake fan parade claims.
A year ago a pre-season tour ended in scandal when three players were videod taking part in a “racist orgy” with Thai girls.
The aces were fired later.