A British businessman has died after receiving a penis enlargement injection at a Bangkok clinic, prompting Thai authorities to investigate the facility’s safety protocols.

Igho Ubiribo (43), a Nigerian-born influencer with 185,000 Instagram followers, died on 6 March after receiving hyaluronic acid filler hours earlier. A London coroner ruled last month that the injection 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.

Investigation underway

Thailand’s health ministry ordered an investigation into Ubiribo’s death. Officials visited the central Bangkok clinic on Monday to check whether it holds a valid licence and followed proper health and safety protocols.

“When it comes to medical procedures, we advocate for the highest level of caution,” health minister Pattana Promphat told reporters.

He said the probe aims “to ensure fairness for everyone and to reassure both local and international patients that they are receiving safe, high-standard and valuable care in Thailand”.

Bangkok police are also investigating the incident, senior officer Utit Soodjai confirmed.

What happened on the day

Ubiribo was having a massage after receiving the injection when he complained of chest pains and collapsed, according to the coroner’s August report.

Paramedics rushed him to hospital with suspected pulmonary embolism, but he lost consciousness before doctors could perform a CT scan. Medical staff tried to resuscitate him for more than 100 minutes before declaring him dead around 01:00.

“Post-mortem examination and toxicology determined the cause of death to be due to the hyaluronic acid injection,” the coroner’s report stated.

Regular patient requested full dose

Clinic managers told investigators that Ubiribo had been a regular patient since 2024 and underwent five penile enlargement injections.

He received his first four procedures in 2024 and 2025. On his fifth visit on 5 March, he received 40 millilitres 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.

Official figures from 2024 show Thailand had 7,000 aesthetic clinics, with 2,000 located in Bangkok alone. Industry forecasts predict the market will reach $7.51 billion in 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.

Ubiribo, known online as “Tiny” and “Ego”, regularly posted pictures with his wife Danielle showcasing their luxury lifestyle.

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