Fake surgeon held after transgender death

Thanatpong Jittheerapirom (right) is facing a charge of manslaughter after a transgender woman died after undergoing breast enhancement surgery at his clinic in Lampang. (Crime Suppression Division photo)

A man who falsely claimed to be a cosmetic surgeon has been arrested in Pattaya following the death of a transgender woman after breast enhancement surgery at his clinic in Lampang.

Thanatpong Jittheerapirom, 29, originally from Khannayao district in Bangkok, was apprehended during a raid on his condominium unit on Pattaya Sai Sam Road on Saturday by Crime Suppression Division police and Pattaya officers.

He was wanted on an arrest warrant for manslaugter in connection with the death of a transgender customer. Police said Mr Thanatpong, who was known in Lampang as Jeeradet Ketrattanakul, confessed to the charges and was being held in custody pending legal action.

The transgender woman underwent breast enhancement surgery at the suspect's Divine clinic in Lampang on Oct 28 and later died.

After news of the death spread, other customers of the clinic filed complaint with local police in the northern province about damage they had suffered. The clinic was found to be have been operating without permission.

There were reports that Mr Thanatpong faced five other arrest warrants in cases involving falsifying documents and embezzlement.

He reportedly confessed that he did not hold a medical degree but used to work at a cosmetic surgery clinic. When patients underwent cosmetic surgery, he often observed the surgeons. He followed up with further self-study and later opened the clinic in Lampang, which operated for eight months, police said.