Bangkok, June 23: David Beckham has arrived in Thailand for the second leg of a tour of Asia amid much secrecy. Only a handful of stunned airport staff, travellers and fans noticed how he and his pop star wife were whisked to a waiting car. One of the four Thai fans who had been tipped off about Beckham's arrival managed to get an autograph as the England captain, dressed in a white top and blue jogging pants, walked past a dozen journalists.
Sponsors and public relations staff had kept Beckham's arrival hushed up, saying only that he would be in Bangkok on Wednesday, after visits to Malaysia and Vietnam. But Beckham and his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, are likely to be thronged during their public appearances in Thailand where the level of hero worship has even stretched into the realms of religion, with a Buddhist temple near Bangkok boasting a statuette of the footballer. The chauffeur of Beckham's limousine told reporters he was going to drive the footballer to a beach resort around 200km south of Bangkok. Beckham's sponsors have said he will shoot a TV advertisement while in Thailand.


Beckham has apologised for recent media hype about his transfer to his new Madrid teammates, who on Sunday were trying to win the Spanish championship.


In Thailand, one of his sponsors has issued a warning to journalists attending a press conference on June 25, saying they will be shunned if they ask question about his former teammates and manager, his pay or Victoria's singing career.


It said reporters were "encouraged" to ask Bekcham about football in Asia, his World Cup experiences, his goals, dreams, children and heroes.


Bureau Report