My Food Poisoning Scare in Thailand

“It doesn’t taste right,” My husband said, wrinkling his nose. I laughed, shrugged, and took another sip of coconut smoothie. After all, I’m a Travel Health Nurse. What could possibly go wrong?”

Spoiler: Everything.

Thailand had been at the top of my travel list for years. Like many who’ve read The Beach by Alex Garland, I had one dream: to step foot on the iconic Maya Bay. It was more than a trip, it was my honeymoon, and I was about to experience paradise with my husband, Antonio

We arrived by boat, the turquoise waves lapping gently against the shore. The crowds were thinner than expected, and for a moment, it felt like the entire beach belonged to us. I should have been soaking in bliss but something else was brewing.

That coconut smoothie.

That one sip.

That choice.

THE TURN

By the next morning, my stomach was bubbling like a cauldron. I chalked it up to heat and exhaustion until I woke the following day shaking uncontrollably. My head throbbed, my jaw clattered like a dice in a cup. I couldn’t stand upright without my back screaming. I was drenched in sweat and barely able to form sentences.

And we had a temple tour booked.

We made it halfway with our tour guide in a taxi before I had to confess: “Papi, we need to turn back.”

At a stop over, I found myself doubled over a hot water spring that was supposed to have healing powers, but I was dry heaving and clutching my stomach as the muscles churned like beef in a meat grinder. No vomit came, but let’s just say… the other end made up for it.

THE FALLOUT

I spent the rest of that day in bed. Papi, ever the optimist (and apparently immune to tropical chaos), slept peacefully beside me like a man on a spa weekend.

Thankfully, I had packed some medical essentials. But it wasn’t until I dragged myself to a pharmacy a couple of days later and got a round of antibiotics that the tide finally turned.

Within a few hours, I was functional. By the next day, I was human again.

Still, the experience left me rattled. Here I was, a travel health nurse, ignoring my own instincts because I was on holiday.

WHAT I WISH I'D DONE DIFFERENTLY (and what you can do right)

If you're heading somewhere warm and wonderful, here's how you can help relieve your food poisoning symptoms:

Rehydration Sachets: Restore electrolytes lost through vomiting or diarrhoea. If you can’t find them, dissolve sugar and salt in clean water (or use an oral rehydration spoon).

Antibiotics: They were my lifesaver. Make sure you’re medically cleared to take them. You can often obtain them by prescription from a travel clinic or buy them at reputable pharmacies abroad (yes, even at Boots in Thailand).

Bottled Water Only: Always. That includes avoiding ice and unsealed drinks. Learn from my mistake.

Imodium (Loperamide): Not ideal for every case, but helpful if you’re in transit and need temporary relief. It saved me from temple-taxi trauma.

Loss of Appetite: Eat little and often. Sip fluids. Keep your energy up even when your stomach protests.

Travel Vaccinations: Hepatitis A and Typhoid can prevent serious illness. Talk to your GP or travel clinic before departure.ways. That includes avoiding ice and unsealed drinks. Learn from my mistake.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Thailand was unforgettable, for better and for worse. Maya Bay glowed like a dream, but that toxic sip of coconut smoothie turned it briefly into a nightmare.

Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I’ll listen when Papi says,

“This doesn’t taste right.”

And maybe I’ll leave the ice behind.

Safe Travels & Stay Healthy!