British woman dies during cosmetic surgery in Thailand; doctor arrested

A British woman has died under anesthesia during a cosmetic procedure by an uncertified surgeon at a clinic in Thailand's capital, authorities said Friday.

The 24-year-old patient stopped breathing after receiving an anesthetic during the operation Thursday night, said Boonruang Triruangworawat, director-general of the Health Service Support Department.

Authorities said the woman, whose name was withheld, had undergone cosmetic surgery at the same clinic earlier this month but was unsatisfied with the results, and was having a corrective operation when she died.

Sompob Sansiri, the doctor who performed the operations, was not certified for cosmetic surgery, Boonruang said.

"There was an attempt to resuscitate her but ultimately she did not survive," he said. "We are looking into why it happened."

Police arrested Sompob and pressed charges of causing death by reckless endangerment, said Maj. Gen. Ittipol Piriyapinyo, deputy chief of Bangkok police. Sompob is likely to face additional charges relating to illegal medical surgery from the Health Service Support Department.

Boonruang said the clinic will be shut for 60 days.

Thailand is known for affordable cosmetic procedures, but there have been several deaths from botched surgeries at unapproved clinics.