Bangkok Diary: Sporting Triumphs Provide A Welcoming Respite For Thais

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa Bernama's correspondent in Bangkok Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa shares his observations of Thailand from Bangkok. BANGKOK, May 13 (Bernama) -- Military-ruled Thailand has been gripped with political tension as the eagerly-anticipated Aug 7 referendum on the draft constitution draws closer. The referendum to pass or reject a recently drafted constitution provided the country the first step for the return of democracy since the military coup in 2014. Besides the increasing political tension, Thais also have to cope with a modest economic growth and a worst in a decade drought that severely affected agriculture production and left thousands of farmers out of work. However, two recent sporting triumphs one by Thai badminton queen Ratchanok Inthanon and a Thai billionaire owned English football team, Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) brought some cheers for the citizens in this "Land of Smiles". Both sporting achievements as well to a lesser extent, the Thai national football team's success to get to the final qualifying round of the World Cup, proved to be a welcoming respite for the Thais inundated by woes. The fairy-tale run of Leicester City from near-relegation last season to English Premier League (EPL) champion few days ago, was cheered by Thais who adopted Claudio Ranieri's modest team as their very own. Owned by duty-free magnate Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha from the King Power International Group, Leicester's success were celebrated by Thais more than 9,000km away from the English Midlands. "I am happy for the club not only because it is owned by a Thai but for the fans who have been waiting for this since the club was established. Today, their dreams have come true," said a private sector employee, Sittishon Klinhom. Another private sector worker, Janjiran Nanan said, Leicester City historic feat has managed to briefly bring down the rising mercury in Thai politics in the run off to the August referendum. "News of Leicester City's success in facing all odds to become EPL champions has cooled down the heated political situation," said the self-confessed Liverpool fan. Since Vichai bought Leicester in 2010, the popularity of the club among Thais has soared with "Likes" in its official Thai Facebook fanpage jumped from several thousands to 650,000 a few days ago. The number of Leicester's social media fans are expected to swell further when the newly-crowned King of EPL make their way to Thailand on May 18 to thank their Thai fans, better known as the "Siamese Foxes". The success of Thai badminton queen Ratchanok, in wresting world's number one ranking from Spanish Carolina Marin late last month, has also been widely celebrated by the sports-mad Thais. Her number one ranking was historic as no other Thais, men and women, have managed to top the list before. Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha who met Ratchanok when she visited him at the Government House thanked the player for putting smiles on the people with her exploits in the badminton court. "I would like to thank her for making the Thais happy especially during the Songkran festival," said Prayuth, adding that he watched all of Ratchanok's final matches in India, Malaysia and Singapore Super Series Championship. With the tag as world's number one player, Thais are praying hard that Ratchanok could maintain her good form and deliver the most-coveted medal of them all, a gold in the Rio Olympic Games this August. --BERNAMA