Thanawat Suengchitthawon - a Thai phenomenon under French radar
Thanawat Suengchitthawon by no mean is normal. He is the first Thai player to be within the rank of Leicester City, a rising English football giant. The club itself is also owned by a Thai business family, the Srivaddhanaprabha family. The late President Vichai, who bought this club when it was in a poor state, played a major role in transforming this club as well as fostering the long, traditional Anglo-Thai relations. The successes of Leicester carried great favour and Thai players became internationally noticed. Vichai was loved, even after his death. Thanawat has a quite privileged life. Born in Suphan Buri, he moved to France with his family as a child and thus was exposed to the French footballing system. Encouraged by his family to earn a living, he decided to represent the French Gaulois, playing for the U-17 side and was applauded for his two-footed abilities. He also came into the rank of Nancy, captaining its reserve side. He was almost selected to the French U-17 team ...