Boob doc accused of fraud

Two women yesterday asked the Crime Suppression Division to bring charges against a doctor who runs a clinic providing a breast augmentation service in Pathum Thani province.

They both complained of having suffered from severe infections in their breasts following the procedure. They accused the clinic owner of fraud, entering false information into a computer, and misleading advertising. One of the complainants, Treetip Boonkuea, 37, said the clinic’s advertisement appeared credible, and its relatively low fee was attractive.

She paid 36,000 baht for breast augmentation on Aug 3. By Aug 6 her breasts had become swollen and red, with leaking abscesses. She returned to the clinic, but found only general staff there, no doctor. The clinic management refused to treat her.

Her symptoms became more severe, so she entered a hospital for nine days and had to pay for it herself, Ms Treetip said.

Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpet, who accompanied the two women, said the doctor who performed the procedure was a general practitioner, not a cosmetic surgeon, and many other patients of the clinic had suffered similar problems afterwards.

Mr Ronnarong said he would ask the Health Service Support Department to check if the clinic had a licence to practice. The name of the clinic and its owner were withheld.

The clinic operates out of a shophouse at Simummuang market in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani.