A 24-year old British woman was found dead in a plastic surgical clinic in Thailand last week. According to police, the woman, locally named as Joy Williams, died while under anaesthetic in the clinic in Soi Lardprao, Bangkok.
They received a call at around 11PM and found the woman's body in the clinic. Reports say that the found a three-inch incision on the victim's buttocks. According to Yahoo News UK, the clinic's owner Doctor Somphop Saensiri, 51, is being questioned by police over claims the doctor was not certified to carry out cosmetic surgery and had been arrested on charges of “causing reckless death”.
The Thai media has reported that police found the woman still lying on the operating table. The clinic staff tried to revive her at the end of the operation but failed.
Thailand is known for their affordable rates on plastic surgery procedures. The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) has let out a warning regarding such surgeries done outside the country since they have non assurance of the safety of these procedures.
“The problem is that you can assume nothing. In Britain we have the NHS and a certain level of standards. In other countries the systems are very different,” said Mark Henley, a consultant plastic surgeon and BAPRAS member. “Thailand is very variable. There are some real specialists, but then there is the fringe.”
Michael Cadier, another British consultant plastic surgeon and President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), said patients seeking cheap operations were often not fully informed about the operation or the person carrying out.
“This tragic case highlights how, if lured by the prospect of what is essentially cheap surgery, patients can be left vulnerable,” he added. “Standards for healthcare may vary, and patients frequently undergo consultations. with company representatives who have no medical background. In some cases, patients are even being treated by a person without proper surgical credentials - if any at all - which breaches all the fundamental guidelines.”
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We were informed of the death of a British national in Thailand on 23 October.
"We stand ready to provide consular assistance."
