Thai authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a British man who died after receiving a penis enlargement injection at a Bangkok clinic, reports NovaNews.
Igho Ubiribo (43), a Nigerian-born influencer, died on 6 March after receiving hyaluronic acid filler hours earlier. A London coroner ruled last month that the injection had caused his death.
The case has renewed concerns about medical tourism safety in Thailand, one of the world’s leading destinations for cosmetic procedures and healthcare.
The country’s health ministry has ordered an investigation into Ubiribo’s death, with officials visiting the clinic last week to check whether it holds a valid licence and followed proper health and safety protocols. Bangkok police are also investigating.
Fifth procedure
According to the coroner’s report, Ubiribo was having a massage after receiving the injection when he complained of chest pains and collapsed.
Although paramedics took him to hospital with suspected pulmonary embolism, he lost consciousness before doctors could perform a CT scan.
Clinic managers said he had been a regular patient since 2024 and had undergone five penile enlargement injections.
He received his first four procedures in 2024 and 2025. On his fifth visit on 5 March, he received 40ml of filler.
The doctor recommended splitting the procedure into two sessions, but Ubiribo requested the entire amount in one go, clinic management said.
Booming aesthetic market
Thailand has built a reputation for excellent healthcare and has become a major centre for medical tourism. The country’s aesthetic market is expanding rapidly, with official figures from 2024 recording 7000 aesthetic clinics, 2 000 of them in Bangkok alone.
Industry forecasts predict the market will reach $7.51bn bin 2027 – three times its 2020 size.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are commonly used in aesthetic medicine and doctors consider them minimally invasive with relatively low risks.
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