Xeping denies wrongdoing in Face Off scandal

THE WOMAN at the centre of the Face Off scandal yesterday denied any wrongdoing about plastic surgery services that she has promoted. 

However, Kamol Cosmetic Hospital, which has reportedly provided the so-called ‘Face Off’ services, now risks being punished for condoning such promotion.

“Dr Xeping Chaiyasan”, who is not a medical doctor, recently said the Face Off services would make famous singer Surachai Sombatcharoen look a few decades younger.

The case has attracted huge media coverage. 

“I am a beauty expert,” Xeping told a press conference yesterday as she tried to wade through the storm of criticism.

Several doctors criticised her last week for using catchy words that could mislead consumers into having false expectations. 

Dr Cholatis Sinratchatanan, president of the Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Society of Thailand, also went public about the fact that Xeping was not even a doctor and lodged a complaint against her for falsely claiming to be his relative. 

Xeping yesterday tearfully suggested that Cholatis might have been dissatisfied with the fact that she had stopped recommending customers to him. “I used to recommend him, but not anymore. I am not sure whether he’s dissatisfied,” she said.

While admitting that she was not a medical doctor, she claimed she was the holder of a doctorate degree.

Xeping did not, however, offer any explanation about Cholatis’s complaint that she had falsely told others she was his niece.

In response to the complaint, police have decided to pursue the case against Xeping on grounds that her claim appeared in the computer system and might cause damage to others.

On the catchy choice of words, Xeping said: “People define Face Off in various different ways. But if the Office of the Consumer Protection Board rules that I should rename the services, I will do so.” 

Squadron Leader Dr Boonruang Triruangworawa, director-general of the Public Health Ministry’s Health Service Support Department, said Kamol Cosmetic Hospital’s actions might constitute offences under the Medical Facilities Act, as it had failed to dismiss Xeping’s advertisements about the services. 

Such offences are punishable by a fine of Bt20,000 plus a daily fine of Bt10,000 until the illegal activities are corrected. 

“The department’s subcommittee on advertising will look into this case before issuing a ruling,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Medical Council president Prof Dr Somsak Lolekha said the council’s ethics committee would look into Dr Kamol Pansrithum’s role in Xeping’s promotion of the services.

Kamol, who is chief plastic surgeon at Kamol Cosmetic Hospital, earlier told the media that he was not involved.