Royal Honour For City Owners

His Majesty King Bhumibol of Thailand has graciously bestowed the family name ‘Srivaddhanaprabha’ on Mr Vichai Raksriaksorn (former surname), Group Chairman of King Power Group of Companies in Thailand and owner of UK’s Leicester City Football Club. The auspicious family name granted by His Majesty was published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette.

“It is our family’s greatest honour to receive this royally granted surname”, Mr Vichai said. “The name ‘Srivaddhanaprabha’ conveys positive attributes to the industry and brings in prosperity to our family. We have now officially changed our surname since it was published in the Royal Gazette in late 2012,” added the Leicester City FC Chairman and head of King Power Group. In Thailand, royally-granted family names have been bestowed particularly on the Monarch's retainers since the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI, r.1910 – 25). It is a tradition of His Majesty to grant surnames to members of the royal family, government officers, and private citizens who have contributed significantly to the good of the country.

This Mr Vichai and King Power have done, not only by bringing 'Thai Spirit' to the world sports by helping to guide Leicester City FC to the top positions in the United Kingdom’s npower Championship, but also by  supporting Thai sports culture through ‘THAI FIGHT’. The Srivaddhanaprabhas have also made their mark and reputation by building up King of Duty Free over 24 years. They are unrivalled in terms of experience in the duty free and tax free business in Thailand. Today, King Power Duty Free Company Limited has the concession for duty free operations at many of Thailand’s international airports: Suvarnnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiangmai and Phuket. The group also operates two down-town branches, one in central Bangkok, the other in Pattaya. Over the years the group has taken part in initiatives to develop Thailand's capabilities in terms of employment and it is also an enthusiastic participant in many corporate and social responsibility programmes dealing with education, charity work, children’s health issues, sports and Thai culture.