Newin, the former top political operative who now runs Buriram United Football Club, said the man arrived in Thailand on Monday and decided to undergo a health test at the hospital the next day. Infection was confirmed on Thursday.

Newin credited the visitor’s responsible behaviour to his use of the “Buriram Model”, which involves being issued a “Buriram Healthy Passport”.

The “passport”, introduced on Tuesday, allows authorities in the northeastern province to log the travel and health records of holders as they arrive and depart.