A businessman was hospitalised after failing to regain consciousness following a nose surgery procedure costing 480,000 baht at a well-known cosmetic clinic in Bangkok, with medical bills reportedly now exceeding 2 million baht. The case has drawn public attention after relatives sought help from a consumer advocacy page while questioning the clinic’s responsibility. The patient still remains unconscious nearly a week after the operation.

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The incident surfaced on 9 March when the Facebook page “Anuwat Jat Hai” posted an image showing the patient lying in a hospital bed. According to the post, the businessman underwent rhinoplasty at a prominent cosmetic surgery clinic in central Bangkok that reportedly uses celebrities as brand ambassadors. The procedure involved general anaesthesia and cost more than 480,000 baht.

Family members said the patient did not regain consciousness after the surgery and was transferred to hospital for treatment. They reported that medical expenses had already exceeded 2 million baht while the patient remained under care. Relatives also claimed they contacted the clinic regarding responsibility for the costs but were told the matter would need to be discussed internally before any response could be given.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

The family said the hospital required them to sign daily acknowledgements accepting responsibility for ongoing treatment costs. Distressed by the situation, they approached the consumer advocacy group “Saimai Tong Rod” to seek assistance and public attention. The case quickly circulated online, prompting questions about whether the surgery had gone wrong.

However, a different explanation later emerged from a medical professional. Dr Surawej Numhom, a plastic surgeon at Ramathibodi Hospital, posted on Facebook that he had received information directly from the patient’s attending physician. According to the doctor, the surgery itself had been completed successfully without complications.

Dr Surawej said the patient experienced a rare reaction known as Malignant Hyperthermia during general anaesthesia. The condition is an uncommon but potentially dangerous reaction to certain anaesthetic drugs and requires close monitoring and emergency management. He stated that the anaesthesiologist successfully managed the situation and that the patient had initially regained consciousness.

The surgeon also urged the public not to jump to conclusions based on early reports. He noted that some online posts could lead readers to believe the case involved a surgical error when the issue was actually a rare medical complication.

Daily News reported that further clarification from the clinic and the treating medical team is expected. Observers say the case highlights the potential risks associated with cosmetic surgery and the importance of clear communication between clinics, patients and families when complications arise.

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Typical. Pass the buck and avoid any responsibility in this sad case. Still, the ongoing care should be covered by the plastic surgeon's insurance, shouldn't it?

Very unlucky guy. I hope he recovers.

This is a tricky one. If the patient knew about his condition and didn’t disclose it to then how can we condemn the doctor. The procedure was a success. Now I do believe that they should be insured to assist the family. Especially if he didn’t know his health condition.

I know that I have a condition and if I’m put under general anesthesia I have a 50-50 chance of waking up, so I must tread carefully and not take any optional surgeries, or face the consequences. I hope he regains consciousness soon and they can get financially assisted by the clinic. Just wondering why his insurance won’t cover it. Unless he doesn’t have insurance. Good luck 🙏

That's scary.

Coma and insane medical bills. How bad can your life get in the blink of an eye?

Better to avoid unnecessary surgery whenever possible.

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

Typical. Pass the buck and avoid any responsibility in this sad case. Still, the ongoing care should be covered by the plastic surgeon's insurance, shouldn't it?

No, If the Patient Fully Disclosed his Medical Conditions and this "Uncommon" condition is unknown to All why should the clinic be responsible?

If I require anesthesia because of a past heart problem I am "Cleared" by heart specialist for a specific surgery requiring anesthesia. I need to be Cleared Every time it requires anesthesia.

According to AI "Malignant Hyperthermia" is a hereditary disorder, meaning it is passed down through family. Still does Not Clarify if Any family members know/knew they have/had "Malignant Hyperthermia"

The Dr. Is a teaching medical professor at a respected university so I value his knowledgeable response.

Bangkok is Number 1 in the World for Medical Tourism. I hope all patients make speedy recoveries with no lasting effects.

I guess a lesson learned is looking for a supplemental medical insurance for Emergencies, possible health care in foreign country.

All surgery involving anaesthesia has risks. I guess the cosmetic clinic will have had the guy sign some kind of waiver?

Most important of course, I hope he fully recovers.

I guess Buddhists don't believe in sins, much less the deadly ones. This probably falls under the 'pride' category.

I feel sorry for the guy.

Personally though I will never put vanity ahead of security.

1 hour ago, Watawattana said:

All surgery involving anaesthesia has risks. I guess the cosmetic clinic will have had the guy sign some kind of waiver?

Most important of course, I hope he fully recovers.

My thoughts as well- what an absolute nightmare for everyone involved

I hope the patient recovers soon

I feel the clinic who performed the operation should be responsible for all the bills he went in there awake they knocked him out and he didn’t wake up TIT

Hope he recovers but if I was having a medical procedure that required a general anesthetic I would only have it done in a hospital with a functioning emergency department, just in case.

I would not have it done in a clinic where the emergency procedure seemed to be 'lets call an ambulance'.

Every surgery is a risk. If the surgery is needed you can take the risk, but why take risks when it is not needed?. In Thailand there is a lot of promotion to look beautiful, which means that a lot of people try rebuild themselves, just to look more beautiful, while they just become the opposite. Many look fake, especially artists and singers. Nothing natural anymore. If you like to take big risks to look artificial, its up to you but be aware of the risks and don't complain when it goes wrong. This is the second case we read in a week

6 hours ago, Watawattana said:

All surgery involving anaesthesia has risks. I guess the cosmetic clinic will have had the guy sign some kind of waiver?

Most important of course, I hope he fully recovers.

And possibly a requirement to purchase Accidental Long Term Medical Coverage before the procedure.

Wow!
300,000 Baht per day for care!

13 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A businessman was hospitalised after failing to regain consciousness following a nose surgery procedure costing 480,000 baht at a well-known cosmetic clinic in Bangkok, with medical bills reportedly now exceeding 2 million baht. The case has drawn public attention after relatives sought help from a consumer advocacy page while questioning the clinic’s responsibility. The patient still remains unconscious nearly a week after the operation.

Get today's headlines by email

The incident surfaced on 9 March when the Facebook page “Anuwat Jat Hai” posted an image showing the patient lying in a hospital bed. According to the post, the businessman underwent rhinoplasty at a prominent cosmetic surgery clinic in central Bangkok that reportedly uses celebrities as brand ambassadors. The procedure involved general anaesthesia and cost more than 480,000 baht.

Family members said the patient did not regain consciousness after the surgery and was transferred to hospital for treatment. They reported that medical expenses had already exceeded 2 million baht while the patient remained under care. Relatives also claimed they contacted the clinic regarding responsibility for the costs but were told the matter would need to be discussed internally before any response could be given.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

The family said the hospital required them to sign daily acknowledgements accepting responsibility for ongoing treatment costs. Distressed by the situation, they approached the consumer advocacy group “Saimai Tong Rod” to seek assistance and public attention. The case quickly circulated online, prompting questions about whether the surgery had gone wrong.

However, a different explanation later emerged from a medical professional. Dr Surawej Numhom, a plastic surgeon at Ramathibodi Hospital, posted on Facebook that he had received information directly from the patient’s attending physician. According to the doctor, the surgery itself had been completed successfully without complications.

Dr Surawej said the patient experienced a rare reaction known as Malignant Hyperthermia during general anaesthesia. The condition is an uncommon but potentially dangerous reaction to certain anaesthetic drugs and requires close monitoring and emergency management. He stated that the anaesthesiologist successfully managed the situation and that the patient had initially regained consciousness.

The surgeon also urged the public not to jump to conclusions based on early reports. He noted that some online posts could lead readers to believe the case involved a surgical error when the issue was actually a rare medical complication.

Daily News reported that further clarification from the clinic and the treating medical team is expected. Observers say the case highlights the potential risks associated with cosmetic surgery and the importance of clear communication between clinics, patients and families when complications arise.

Related story

Bangkok-influencers-400k-nose-surgery-nightmare

Join the discussion?

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 10 Mar 2026

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480,000 😱 What was he getting an elephants trunk attached to his face 🙈

Expected response from the healthcare profession here, collective shrug of the shoulders

On 3/10/2026 at 5:34 AM, jchfriis said:

I feel sorry for the guy.

Personally though I will never put vanity ahead of security.

But how would you, or anyone , know you had this illness ?

Does it come out on a health check ? Doubt it.

Just checked Malignant Hyperthermia. So a few questions.

Did the patient know he had this illness ? If he did , did he tell the Clinic he was suffering from this?

If he had, the clinic would have used a different anesthetic .

If he didn’t know, then he couldn’t have told the Clinic.

So I suppose that a hospital insurance would have covered this “ accident” .

I’d add that sometimes a nose operation is done to help with polypes and breathing difficulties.

I am satisfied with my nose.

The best reason for cosmetic surgery is to correct and restore following an accident.

Why do people want to be different from what God gave them?

100 years ago, nobody cared about their noses, except for....THE SCHNOZZ.....Jimmy

Everybody loved Jimmy, nose or no nose.

What a shame that some of us feel the need to use risky surgery to alter our most prominent feature....!!!!

23 minutes ago, geisha said:

I’d add that sometimes a nose operation is done to help with polypes and breathing difficulties.

IF this is the case, then it is NOT termed "cosmetic" surgery.