Paul Lennon, founder of the Thai Tims, has been laid to rest in Thailand, with members of the group carrying him to his final resting place as mourners gathered to say farewell to the devoted Celtic fan.
The beloved dad was surrounded by fellow Hoops fans as his funeral procession made its way from Pattaya Irish House, with "You Never Walk Alone" ringing out during the emotional send-off. Mourners could be seen wearing Celtic strips and some donned kilts as they walked behind Paul's casket for one final journey. His two sons and wife were among those who joined the long line of family, friends and supporters paying their respects.
Procession to the temple
A video shared on TikTok showed Paul's casket being carried to a local temple with the huge procession following behind. Mourners were seen at the religious site paying their respects beside Paul's open casket and laying flowers. Pipes played as a Celtic flag was held aloft, while hundreds of flowers were left in tribute to the man who devoted much of his life to helping children in Thailand.
One of Paul's sons paid an emotional tribute to his dad and his love of the Hoops. He said: "Celtic meant everything to him. He loved Celtic. And Celtic helped me and my father bond together as father and son."
Tributes from Pattaya Irish House
Posting the footage to TikTok, staff at the Pattaya Irish House added: "Today the Thai Tims and the Celtic Supporters Club from Pattaya Irish House had the privilege and honour to carry Paul Lennon to his final resting place. It was a humbling moment to be part of his send off and to walk with him one last time. We are deeply grateful for the chance to stand by him and to share this with Paul, the boys, and all who loved him. Rest easy, Paul. You'll always be one of us."
Paul, the founder of the Thai Tims and the Good Child Foundation in Thailand, passed after a battle with an aggressive brain tumour earlier this week. The 60-year-old had been diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma (IDH-wildtype) and had been receiving palliative care after undergoing major brain surgery. His diagnosis had left him unable to communicate, but the Celtic support rallied around Paul and his family in his final months.
Legacy of helping children
Hundreds of tributes were paid to the kind-hearted dad, who spent more than two decades helping children with Down's syndrome in rural Thailand alongside his wife Pun. Paul and Pun founded the Good Child Foundation after their son, Berni, was born with Down's syndrome.
Paul used his love of Celtic to help teach English to children who had been excluded from mainstream education, using songs sung by supporters at Celtic Park in his lessons. The youngsters became known affectionately as the Thai Tims and their videos singing Hoops favourites went viral, attracting millions of views online.
Paul's legacy extended beyond the Thai Tims and his work teaching children. He also devoted himself to keeping alive the memory of murdered Blantyre teenager Reamonn Gormley. Reamonn volunteered at the Good Child Foundation in Thailand during a gap year in 2010 before he was tragically stabbed to death in an attempted street robbery in his hometown the following year.
Paul formed a partnership with Blantyre Soccer Academy in Reamonn's memory and helped organise tributes involving the Thai Tims. The children recorded a special charity version of Just Can't Get Enough in his honour, raising money for the Good Child Foundation and knife crime charity Crimestoppers.
Following news of Paul's death, Celtic issued a tribute to the lifelong supporter. A statement from the club said: "Everyone at Celtic Football Club sends their prayers and deepest condolences to the family of Paul Lennon, who has passed away. Paul did such great work with the Good Child Foundation and Thai Tims, and we know he will be sadly missed by so many. May he rest in peace."
