The diminutive Cole, a member of England's League Cup and FA Cup-winning Chelsea side last season, arrived in the Kingdom on Tuesday morning for a two-day trip.

Primarily, his visit was to be a presenter for a lucrative condominium at the seaside town of Hua Hin.

However, the former West Ham player managed to find time in his busy schedule to meet underprivileged children under the HDF, which was founded by Father Joseph Maier and Sister Maria Chantavarodom, at Dubliner Irish Pub yesterday.

The sight of such a high-profile player thrilled the children. After the procession ended, they quickly swarmed the British star who showed no signs of aversion or tiredness and treated them with generosity.

Cole handed out an England national team shirt with his autograph to the children and said he came to Thailand not to meet any prominent figure but to see them.

He would like to encourage them not to feel downhearted and keep fighting and playing football with joy.

The 26-year-old Cole, who after the event took a flight back home, also gave another England national jersey with autograph and sporting items for an auction, which will be held during the charitable HDF golf event on September 28. The organisers expected Bt12 million from the tournament.