'Sleeping beauty' dies after weeks in coma

'Sleeping beauty' dies after weeks in coma

THAILAND - A product presenter died on Tuesday after having been in a coma for weeks following an illegal cosmetic filler injection into her buttocks.

Police will now file charges against unlicensed clinician Thanat Natveerakul, also known as Dr Pop, for alleged recklessness causing another's death.

Thanat allegedly injected a foreign filler substance into the buttocks of Athitiya Eiamyai or Kratae, 33, on September 16. She lapsed into unconsciousness and her brain lacked oxygen for several minutes before she went into a coma.

Thanat later turned himself in and confessed that he was not licensed to perform the procedure.

Kluaynamthai 1 Hospital director Dr Suwinai Budsarakhamwong said Athitiya was declared dead and removed from a respiratory aid device at 10.40am.

The hospital had treated Athitiya since September 18 for inflamed brain stem.

Suwinai said her blood pressure and vital signs had dropped since 9am today to undetectable levels and an x-ray showed more swelling on her brain.

Doctors diagnosed her death as stemming from brain damage from a swollen brain due to lack of oxygen or the death of brain cells resulting in the brain's failure to function.

Her body will be submitted for autopsy at Chulalongkorn Hospital's Forensic Institution.

The doctor urged women only to use cosmetic services from credible and authorised hospitals/clinics.

City police deputy chief Anuchai Lekbamrung said police will soon summon Thanat to face the additional charge of recklessness causing other's death, which is punishable by a 10year jail term and/or a Bt20,000 (S$802) fine.

He was previously charged with recklessness causing another's serious injury, which is punishable by a three-year jail term and a Bt6,000 fine.

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