King: Bring On Bangkok

King missed out on that landmark trip to the Thai capital as he was on international duty with Wales, but hopes to make up for it next Sunday (27 July), in a fixture that will mark the 25th anniversary of Leicester City’s parent company, King Power International. 

“It should be a great experience,” Andy told lcfc.com. “I missed the last game we played out there because I was away with Wales, but the lads that were involved really enjoyed playing in front of the Thai fans. 

“I believe the conditions can be difficult with the heat and humidity, but those are all challenges you have to face when you play football at the top level, so I’m sure it’s something both teams will rise to. 

“It will be our second game of pre-season so it’s an important one for us in terms of preparing for the Premier League, but we’ll also be delighted to help King Power mark their anniversary as they’ve been such a supportive force behind the Club since they took over four years ago.” 

A lot has changed in the four years since the Foxes’ last game on Thai soil. Back in October 2010, the takeover made by Vichai and Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha had not long been completed and the Club were competing in the Football League Championship. 

Four years on, Leicester City will arrive in Bangkok as a Premier League club, preparing to do battle with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the most popular division in world football. 

A graduate of the Club’s highly successful Academy and a Leicester City player for nearly 10 years, 25-year-old Andy has seen the progress at close quarters and agrees the Club is a different entity in 2014. 

“So much has changed during the time I’ve been here – the Club is almost unrecognisable from the time I arrived. We’ve experienced some difficult times, but since the owners took over it’s been a steady climb and now we’re in the Premier League. 

“The Club travelled to Thailand for a game soon after the takeover, so in many ways it’s fitting that we’re going back now, having achieved our first target of getting to the Premier League. 

“There’s been a feel-good factor around the Club for a long time now and it’s important we build on that in the coming games before the new season.” 

Tickets for the friendly between Leicester City and Everton at Bangkok’s Supachalasai Stadium on Sunday 27 July (kick-off 6pm local time, 12noon BST) are currently on sale . 

Tickets are priced as follows: 

Category Blue: 500 Thai Baht (approx. £9) 

Category Silver: 1000 Thai Baht (approx. £18) 

Category Gold: 2000 Thai Baht (approx. £36)