The first Thai found to be infected with the coronavirus after a visit to Wuhan, a 73-year-old woman, says she did not go to any fresh markets while on holiday.

Jaimuay Sae Ung, of Nakhon Pathom, having recovered from the novel coronavirus, spoke at a media conference at Nakhon Pathom Hospital on Tuesday.

The 73-year-old said she could not remember what kind of meat she ate while in Wuhan. But she insisted her and her family ate only clean food at restaurants, not street food.

During the trip, she saw people coughing but she never thought about being infected with a virus.

“I was shocked (to learn I was infected) because I went there in a group of many people. I went there on December 25 and returned to Thailand on January 3.

"I felt exhausted and initially thought it was probably caused by my walking a lot and visiting many places. I assumed I might have a heart disease. I got dizzy and lost my appetite,’’ the elderly woman said.

She went to Nakhon Pathom Hospital after returning from Wuhan. Health officials confirmed she was infected with the novel coronavirus. 

Mrs Jaimuay said she was put in a glassed-in room at the hospital. She saw doctors entering the room to treat her wearing clothes that left only their eyes visible.

Initially, she was not aware what she was suffering from. Later, she was told she was infected with the virus and this caused her some stress.

While staying at the hospital, she could not see her children or other relatives, and suffered pain while breathing.

After receiving treatment for 3 days her health gradually improved, she said.

While in China, there was no warning about the outbreak of the virus. She learned during a phone call from her son in Thailand that people in China were being infected and the disease had claimed the lives of some people, Mrs Jaimuay said.

The medical team providing her treatment said doctors treated her symptoms. Anti-viral medication had not been used.

After receiving treatment for nine days, Mrs Jaimuay was discharged. There was no human-to-human transmission among the family members who went to Wuhan with her, the team members said.