Becks likes the shrines

After his drawn out transfer saga, David Beckham could be forgiven for enlisting a little help from on high to ensure it is a success.

But he and wife Victoria stunned police bodyguards during his promotional tour of Thailand yesterday by halting their motorcade at a roadside shop - and spending £1,000 on six 6ft Buddhist shrines.

The couple ordered the spirit houses - miniature temples which are believed to protect property and are usually found in private gardens - to be sent to Britain. Beckham then posed with fans before going to yet another promotional event.

One fan, 20-year-old Montri Saingianjit, said: 'He was very sweet. He said he was buying the houses for luck because he was moving.'

Beckham - who signed for Real Madrid for £25million last week - and his wife arrived in Thailand on Sunday amid some secrecy for a two-day visit. They will shoot a TV advert for oil company Castrol. The couple are on the second leg of a promotional tour of Asia after visiting Japan last week.

On arrival, they were whisked from Bangkok airport to the southern resort of Aleenta for filming.

'I was very excited when my boss told me I would be among the police officers providing security for David Beckham,' said Sgt Naresh Jimpik.

'I am a fan but never dreamed I could come this close to him.'