An unlicensed cosmetologist who injected a foreign substance into the body of a woman who died on Tuesday will be charged with negligent manslaughter, deputy Bangkok police chief Pol Maj Gen Anuchai Lekbamrung said on Tuesday.
Athitiya Eiamyai, 33, was declared dead about 10.40am.
Athitiya, who was a product presenter, fell into a coma after receiving an injection from Thanat Natveerakul, 24, who practised illegally as a cosmetic clinician under the name “Dr Pop” despite having no medical licence.
She became unconscious a few minutes after she was injected with a filler material into her buttocks, as part of a procedure to make her figure more shapely.
Doctors said later her heart stopped beating and her brain was starved of oxygen for at least four minutes. She fell into a deep coma and had been hospitalised since 16 Sept.
Dr Pop later turned himself in to police and confessed that he was not licensed to perform the procedure. He said he used to work as an assistant at a skin clinic and had experience giving injections. He resigned from the clinic to start his own business and clients came to him by word of mouth.
He was released on bail.
Pol Maj Gen Anuchai said he will face an additional charge of negligent manslaughter which carries a maximum penalty of ten years in jail and/or a 20,000 baht fine.
Mr Thanat has already been charged with offering a medical service without holding a licence, which has a maximum penalty of three years jail and a 30,000 baht fine, and also with illegally operating an unregistered clinic, which carries a maximum penalty of three years jail and a 60,000 baht fine.
Doctors have warned this case should serve as a lesson for those using the services of “moh krapao”, or backroom beauticians, who offer cosmetic treatment to clients at prices far below those of the legitimate clincis.
They suggested that people research any cosmetic procedure they plan to have and choose only licensed and reliable clinics or hospitals, instead of risking their lives with unlicensed quacks.
Athitiya parent’s told reporters that they were disappointed that "Dr Pop" had visited their daughter only twice since she was hospitalised, proving that he was not concerned about his patient.
They said he offered 40,000 baht to them to help with hospital bills, but they declined.