Time In Thailand

Charles Alexander Kosydar and his friends laughing near a beach while traveling in Thailand
My friends and I on Koh Lipe, near where a snake bit me only a few hours after this picture was taken

I am excited to write about a lot of things on my new blog, but I need to address one issue first. While on vacation in Thailand in the fall of 2018 I went missing for two and half days. Unfortunately, a couple of misleading articles were posted online about this, and as such I need to clear the air about what happened.

I was traveling in the islands of southern Thailand with my friends, but was by myself one evening when I went for a walk. While wading around a rocky outcropping separating adjacent beaches I was stung by a venomous sea snake. I immediately got out of the water up onto the rocks, which is the last thing I clearly remember.

For the next two days, I was in and out of consciousness and barely able to move from acute neuromuscular paralysis. Even once the effects of the poison started to wear off, I was still incredibly weak from being stranded without food or water in the heat of the tropics.

My friends immediately started a search effort when I went missing, but where I was injured was difficult to see from the ocean and the neighboring beaches. Thankfully, on the morning of the third day I was found, and after drinking my first water in days I was taken to a small clinic on the island for more rehydration.

I am glad to say I’m okay, with only a small blister on my hand where I was bit, a bruised ego for needing to be rescued, and a blemished online reputation. I am also forever grateful to the Thai search team, and for my friends and family who helped with my rescue effort.

A group photo with the Thai search team that rescued me

Published by Charles Kosydar

Radiologist in Portland, Oregon. Avid skier. Fair weather surfer. World traveler. French bulldog father. Oregon Duck fanatic.