Grandad who had stroke in Bangkok apartment survived off tap water diet for 8 days

The 63-year-old Scot ripped a pipe off a sink for access to water as he lay trapped on the floor of his Bangkok holiday apartment after suffering a stroke

By Daniel Morrow

 

Bill Fairbairn, 64, survived by busting a pipe and drinking tap water (Image: Fiona Gunn WS)

 

A grandad who got trapped alone inside his holiday apartment in Thailand survived off a diet of just tap water for eight days as he prayed someone would come to his rescue.

 

Scottish 64-year-old Bill Fairbairn was stuck down by a stroke while he was staying in Bangkok and lay on the ground for days unable to get up to seek help.

 

He had left his home in Dunbar on January 16 to explore Thailand by himself for around two months.

 

But just over a month into his trip, disaster struck.

 

His family back home grew extremely concerned for his wellbeing as they were unable to get in contact with him.

 

Full story: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/grandad-who-stroke-bangkok-apartment-21656583

 

-- Mirror 2020-03-09

Another reason why you should get your kicks while young instead of trying to "explore" the world while 1 foot in the grave. 

No travel insurance either - it had already expired.  Gofundme in progress....

Just now, Pravda said:

trying to "explore" the world while 1 foot in the grave.

 

He is 64yrs old !! Hardly grave material... 

Strokes can happen at any age, although obviously the risk increases with age and lifestyle dependent too...

Good for him to be "exploring" and not sitting in Scotland moaning about the weather !!

Strewth!

Though not good to go into a 'hard' water fast, it will probably do more good than harm to do just water for several days. Folk do month-long water-fasts without issue, though granted they prepare for it.

All the best. 

All I can say is that he is lucky to have a lovely daughter with a big heart.

Wishing them all the best

1 hour ago, cornishcarlos said:

He is 64yrs old !!

Is there a Specsavers near you? 63 according to the OP and the Mirror.

Holiday apartment with no maids cleaning for a week ? 

Just now, RichardColeman said:

Holiday apartment with no maids cleaning for a week ? 

Could be AirBNB most likely

Further problems emerged when Bill was raced to hospital.

“The ambulance would not take him before £500 was paid. Then in the hospital they charge anything from £1,00 to £5,000 a day”,

14 minutes ago, stouricks said:

Is there a Specsavers near you? 63 according to the OP and the Mirror.

If you bother to read either OP or the link, it says 63 once and 64 twice. Bifocals for you?

4 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

Further problems emerged when Bill was raced to hospital.

“The ambulance would not take him before £500 was paid. Then in the hospital they charge anything from £1,00 to £5,000 a day”,

Of course as is the case for most old bastards here there would be no insurance because can't happen to me, 

 

The real grief starts when the clock starts ticking in ER 

Nonsense comment removed.

30 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

Further problems emerged when Bill was raced to hospital.

“The ambulance would not take him before £500 was paid. Then in the hospital they charge anything from £1,00 to £5,000 a day”,

These prices are well over the normal prices. Secondly the expensive hospitals have staff that speak multiple languages and most hospitals in Bangkok have english speaking staff. She should transfer him to Chula where the specialist doctors are also from Bumrungrad Hospital.

Generally a water fast of 8 days or so, wouldn't cause any extra health damage. The serious life-threatening stroke is another matter - the consequences of not treating it sooner was high risk, and he was fortunate to have survived it.

 

Best of luck with his recovery - it could take a long time.

 

 

54 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Holiday apartment with no maids cleaning for a week ? 

Bingo. It is one of the reasons I have daily visits, even if only for 1 hour to sweep and mop.

3 hours ago, Pravda said:

Another reason why you should get your kicks while young instead of trying to "explore" the world while 1 foot in the grave. 

Or keep your mobile phone handy!

3 hours ago, Pravda said:

Another reason why you should get your kicks while young instead of trying to "explore" the world while 1 foot in the grave. 

63-75 and older is hardly one foot in the grave. You should be ashamed of yourself.

3 hours ago, Pravda said:

Another reason why you should get your kicks while young instead of trying to "explore" the world while 1 foot in the grave. 

64 is not that very old by todays standards. If he was fit and active he can travel anywhere he chooses. You obvioiusly have very little idea that anybody can have a stroke anytime of their life.  (A stroke specialist told me this)

A troll post has been removed as well as a reply:

• Presumably just ANOTHER fantasy post.

There are more details in the linked article:

•  Full story: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/grandad-who-stroke-bangkok-apartment-21656583

3 hours ago, Pravda said:

Another reason why you should get your kicks while young instead of trying to "explore" the world while 1 foot in the grave. 

Another reason to get a young Thai girlfriend. Take ten years off then half his age. That would be about 27.

 

That is what I have done. Problem solved.  No more worries about sucking water from a broken pipe for me. 

Edited March 9, 20206 yr by Ketyo

3 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

He is 64yrs old !! Hardly grave material... 

Strokes can happen at any age, although obviously the risk increases with age and lifestyle dependent too...

Good for him to be "exploring" and not sitting in Scotland moaning about the weather !!

I dunno, my Dad passed away at 63. Brain aneurism.

64 is old. 75% life done.

4 hours ago, Pravda said:

Another reason why you should get your kicks while young instead of trying to "explore" the world while 1 foot in the grave. 

Actually most of the foreigners who die in Thailand are under 60.

5 minutes ago, UbonThani said:

64 is old. 75% life done.

Or 21 years to go, let’s see you sit out 21 yrs doing S F ay!

I have had quite a few "strokes" in Bangkok over the years. Should I start a GoFundMe page?

you see, if needed, you can live of tap water only

 

extreme FAST

 

he must have lost some fat also ... maybe he recovered by NOT eating ... your body start to EAT useless protein first...

 

science should follow up this guy .... NATURAL CURE, who knows ...

1 hour ago, Ketyo said:

Another reason to get a young Thai girlfriend. Take ten years off then half his age. That would be about 27.

 

That is what I have done. Problem solved.  No more worries about sucking water from a broken pipe for me. 

What about when she takes all your money? Set up a crowdfunding appeal !!

3 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

Further problems emerged when Bill was raced to hospital.

“The ambulance would not take him before £500 was paid. Then in the hospital they charge anything from £1,00 to £5,000 a day”,

I had a stroke about twelve years ago in Udon Than I. Had a real nice room for about B1000 per night and the doctors bill wasn't much because they told my they can't do much for stroke victims.

1 hour ago, UbonThani said:

64 is old. 75% life done.

It's all in the mind and body. Lots of the most famous poets, painters, politicians and philosophers have been old men.

 

Not long ago, an superfit Indian gentleman became the first centenarian to complete marathon. I'm planning to be the second.