Worth it to leave USA behind to train in Thailand?

[Guy Thompson]

Hi I'm an 18yo amateur boxer from the USA kindve at the end of my ropes here, cant afford college dont have any family to help out. All of my time that isnt spend working is spent boxing I train for at least 3 hours a day run 3 miles a day spar twelve rounds a few times a week and my coach puts my name on every local amateur show that pops up. Unfortunately it's very hard to nab a fight as an amateur in my state as people constantly pull out for one reason or another so I've had it where I cut down to 165lbs from 190lbs in a month only for an opponent to pull out two days prior. My living situation here is quite volatile and rent is not cheap I've managed to save a little bit of money almost 3k. My passport is expired and I dont know much about muay thai but nothing seems to be working out here and I'm kinda tired of everything just falling apart I would love to spend all of my time training and I'd love to compete often I was wondering if it would be worth it to take the chance in purchasing a one way ticket to Thailand? I'm sure training in the US isnt as rigorous as in thailand but I've taken my fair share or knocks over the years already and in relatively confident in myself as an athlete do you think a trip to Thailand would be the right move, what are some things I should know ?

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

What is beautiful about Thailand is that Muay Thai is part of a living, thriving fight culture. Fights are everywhere, and the gyms that support the fighting scenes in various areas are super plentiful. I would suggest finding a gym in Chiang Mai (where the cost of living is lower than in the vacation-y islands, where there are fights every night of the week, and train like hell as best you can.

This is Sylvie's list of recommended gyms:

 

 

If you really enjoy training, don't have anything holding you down, just save up and go. At the very least it's something you'll never forget.

 

[Snack Payback]

If you have the opportunity then you should go for it. You only live once so try and make the most of it, you'll regret it otherwise. 

Try and save up more than 3k though, especially if you haven't paid for your flight yet. Could you not sort out somewhere cheaper to rent for 6 months or so, so you can get your head down, work and save up? Work's easier if you're got a goal to aim for.

[Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu]

If you can get all the non-exciting parts sorted, like renewing your passport, buying a ticket, organizing a tourist visa and finding a gym, then for sure go. You won't regret trying the life of training and fighting in Thailand. The question isn't "should you come," it's how long you can stay. So, should you try? Yes. Are you willing to put in the work to make that happen? 

[Xestaro]

On 11/6/2019 at 2:52 PM, Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu said:

If you can get all the non-exciting parts sorted, like renewing your passport, buying a ticket, organizing a tourist visa and finding a gym, then for sure go. You won't regret trying the life of training and fighting in Thailand. The question isn't "should you come," it's how long you can stay. So, should you try? Yes. Are you willing to put in the work to make that happen? 

Not to hijack, but this seems relevant to the thread:
If the question is how long you can stay as Sylvie says, then in what ways is long term "survivability" as a fighter in Thailand questionable?

What are some of the things to keep in mind that can make you unable to further extend living in Thailand as a professional fighter and what happens then? Is it possible for westerners to long term sustain living like this in Thailand with what you earn as a professional fighter?