Surviving My First Day in Bangkok: Battling Travel Sickness (The "Water Calamity")

I think I pushed myself too hard. 

The moment I arrived in Bangkok, a sudden, bone-chilling fever hit me out of nowhere. To make matters worse, I started suffering from a full-blown "water calamity"—food poisoning or a severe reaction to the local water that turned my stomach into a disaster zone.

I was sick enough to lose my mind, yet somehow, I still had the urge to take photos. Talk about being a travel newbie!

Things went from bad to worse—I realized I had left my bag full of Korean medicine back in Korea. I was stranded, feeling terrible, and completely out of remedies on my first day back in Bangkok. With all the hospitals closed, I had to rely on my survival instincts and head to the nearest 7-Eleven.

Here is my emergency survival kit from a Bangkok 7-Eleven:

1. EZYGO Pork Congee with Shiitake

It wasn't exactly medicine, but I needed energy. This congee was light, easy on the stomach, and surprisingly tasty. It was exactly what I needed to get some fuel back into my system.

2. Ya That (The Local Essential)

Don't worry, this isn't anything "inappropriate"! This is Thailand’s go-to remedy for indigestion and stomach upsets. Think of it as the Thai equivalent of "Gas Myung-su." When you're dealing with a travel-induced stomach issue, this is a must-have.

3. Air-X (Gas Relief)

This tasted a bit… questionable, to be honest. It’s a chewable tablet specifically for bloating and gas. If your stomach feels like a balloon, this stuff is a lifesaver. You can find these in almost every 7-Eleven in Thailand.

After forcing myself to take these and resting for a few hours, I finally started to feel like myself again. I managed to get some decent sleep, and by the next day, I was back on my feet.

Pro-tip: Stay healthy while traveling! Dealing with medical costs as a foreigner without insurance is a nightmare. Once I fully recovered, I celebrated by heading straight to Koreatown for kimchi stew and soju!

If you find yourself struggling with a sudden travel bug or fever in Bangkok, don’t panic. Head to your local 7-Eleven, grab these essentials, and get back to your nomad life.

Stay strong, nomads.