Thailand probes Briton's penis enlargement death

Thai authorities are investigating a Bangkok clinic after a Nigerian-born British businessman and influencer died following a penis enlargement procedure.

A London coroner ruled last month that Igho Ubiribo, 43, died in Bangkok on March 6 because of a hyaluronic acid injection he had received hours earlier. Thai health officials visited the clinic on Monday and are examining whether it had a valid licence and followed health and safety rules.

An August report from the UK coroner said Ubiribo was having a massage after receiving the filler when he complained of chest pains and collapsed. He was taken to hospital with a suspected pulmonary embolism, lost consciousness before a CT scan and was declared dead at about 1:00 am after more than 100 minutes of resuscitation attempts.

Bangkok police are also investigating. Thai Health Minister Pattana Promphat said medical procedures required the highest level of caution and said the inquiry was intended to reassure local and international patients about safety standards in Thailand.

Thailand's health ministry said clinic managers told investigators that Ubiribo had been a regular patient since 2024 and had undergone five penile enlargement injections. They said he received 40 millilitres of filler on his fifth visit on March 5, and that although a doctor recommended splitting the procedure into two sessions, Ubiribo asked for the full amount in one session.

The case has renewed attention on medical tourism in Thailand, a major destination for overseas patients seeking healthcare and aesthetic procedures. Official figures showed Thailand had 7,000 aesthetic clinics in 2024, including 2,000 in Bangkok, and forecast the market would be worth $7.51 billion in 2027.