Home Crime Illegal Clinic Owner to Be Charged in Death of Transwoman

Illegal Clinic Owner to Be Charged in Death of Transwoman

The Divine Clinic in Lampang province was operating illegally when 22-year-old Jiratchaya Kampoon paid 35,000 for a breast implant procedure.

LAMPANG — Public health officials in Lampang province were preparing to file charges Tuesday against an unlicensed beauty clinic which conducted a breast augmentation on a young transgender woman who died the next day.

An autopsy found that Jiratchaya Kampoon died Sunday night of brain asphyxia after a lung collapsed, according to Prasert Kitsuwanrat, a physician with the Lampang Public Health Office.

On Saturday, she had gone to the Divine Clinic and paid 35,000 baht for silicone gel-filled breast implants. After a three-hour operation, 22-year-old Jiratchaya woke up briefly before falling unconscious a few minutes later.

Divine Clinic, opened in May, did not have a license from the Lampang Public Health Office, according to Lt. Col. Taranong Srikamwang, deputy chief of Kelang Nakhon police. The clinic sought a license in early May but was rejected.

Taranong said police and medical officials will further examine Jiratchaya’s body. Although Jiratchaya signed a consent form provided by the clinic, it is liable for operating without a permit.

Police are still weighing charges against clinic owner Janjira Thiwong-ngeon.

Col. Jittapol Wongwan said Janjira could be charged with homicide, the maximum penalty for which is capital punishment. A count of manslaughter would be punishable by up to 15 years in jail, while negligent homicide is 10-year jail term or less.