More people who attended a Muay Thai boxing event in Thailand on March 6 have tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a report published Monday by thaipbsworld.com, the mayor of the Chachoengsao provincial administration, Kitti Paopiamsap, announced that he has been treated after catching coronavirus March 6 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital and most populous city. Actor, manager and Muay Thai fighter Matthew Deane, who participated in an event there March 6, announced Friday through a video posted to his Instagram account that he was being treated after testing positive for coronavirus.
Muay Thai boxing shows are regularly held at the Lumpinee venue. A seven-bout, club-level professional boxing card was held Friday night at a different venue in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, Paopiamsap publicly requested Sunday that everyone with whom he has come in close contact get tested for coronavirus. He attended various events from the time of the Muay Thai boxing event March 6 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium until Deane revealed his positive diagnosis Friday.
Thaipbsworld.com also reported Monday that army special advisor general Nathaporn Srisawat announced major-general Rachit Aarunwong is infected with COVID-19.
Aarunwong is president of the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, as well as director of Thailand’s Army Welfare Department. He is being treated in a hospital.
According to boxrec.com, 21 professional boxing cards already have been held in Thailand in 2020. There is one event currently on Thailand’s boxing calendar, scheduled for April 4.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.