Search still on for 500 who visited boxing stadia

Public Health authorities are still looking for about 500 people who visited Muay Thai boxing stadiums early this month and might have been exposed to the risk of contracting Covid-19.

Of the 89 new confirmed cases announced yesterday, 32 are from the kickboxing cluster. The patients are scattered in Bangkok, Ubon Ratchathani, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Surat Thani, Surin and Kanchanaburi.

Thousands of kickboxing fans visited the stadiums during March 6-8 and many travelled from all over the country and went home without knowing they might have caught the virus. The major event was held at Lumpini boxing stadium on March 6 and among those linked to this cluster are actor and singer Matthew Deane Chanthavanij, Maj Gen Rachit Arunrangsi, director-general of the Army Welfare Department, and Kitti Paopiamsap, chairman of Chachoengsao's provincial administrative organisation.

Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantaranothai said provincial authorities will disclose the sites that the five Covid-19 patients in the province had visited so those who came into contact with them can go into 14-day self-quarantine or see doctors if they have symptoms.