Tuesday 3 May 2016 13:30, UK
Newly-crowned Premier League champions Leicester City will have few problems adapting to the Champions League, according to the monk revered by the club's Thai owners.
Buddhist Phra Prommangkalachan predicted earlier in the season that the Foxes would overcome their 5,000-1 odds and win the English top flight.
The prediction came true on Monday night and by Tuesday morning visitors were flocking to the Golden Buddha temple in the Chinatown area of Bangkok that has swiftly turned into a venerated site for Leicester fans in Thailand.
Prommangkalachan came to prominence when Thailand's King Power duty free company, owned by billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprbha, bought the club six years ago and asked the monk to bless the team.
Speaking at the temple about his effect on the team, Prommangkalachan said: "I believe the power of Buddhism and the preachings created teamwork and unity in the team.
"Forward players and defenders help each other play and this is the power which helps them through the success and has brought happiness to the fans.
"With clear minds it has brought concentration, ability and determination for them to go to the international arena. They will be able to thrive because of their strong minds and will continue to win on the international stage."
Many of the fans on Tuesday were desperate to get their hands on Leicester banners but the chief monk's assistant Korpsin Uiamsa-ard, wearing the club's dark blue shirt, had to let them down gently.
Korpsin revealed the banners would not be sold but would be given to people chosen by Prommangkalachan.
"At the start of the year, if I had forced someone to take the Leicester team banner, no one would have touched it. Who would've thought?" Korpson said.
The temple is planning to give gold amulets, blessed by Prommangkalachan, to each of the club's players.
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The unblessed amulets are sold in the temple's shop for around £1,160. Korpsin said two bigger amulets, valued at around £3,410, are reserved for Vichai and manager Claudio Ranieri.
Even the young disciples who live and work at the temple are now fans of Leicester City, said Korpsin who added: "They all used to be Manchester United or Liverpool fans."
Now they wear the team's dark blue jerseys as they sweep leaves off the temple grounds and carry on other chores.
And at night? Korpsin added: "They all transform. They wear Leicester's white away-game jerseys and chant its name while watching the game."
