Kickboxing aficionados came from all over Thailand to attend a major Muay Thai match at Bangkok’s indoor Lumpini Stadium on March 6. More than 100 went home unknowingly carrying the COVID-19 virus.
As of Saturday, confirmed cases from three boxing stadiums in Bangkok totalled 104, just over a quarter of the national toll of 411. An actor, a major-general, a politician, a boxing trainer and a slew of ordinary fans are among the cases from the March 6 event.
On March 13, local celebrity Matthew Deane Chanthavanij posted a message on his Instagram account, claiming that he has the virus.
The air-conditioned hall was hosting the first big Muay Thai event of the season. Eleven bouts started at 6 p.m and ended just after midnight. The crowd of about 5,000 roared every time punches and kicks were exchanged.
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After hearing the news about Deane, another spectator at the event, Suwan Jitpinit asked to be tested for COVID-19. The result came back positive. Ordinary boxing fans from other provinces, both near Bangkok and in the north, the northeast and the south, have also tested positive for the disease.
