So I haven’t written an entry in a while and I apologize. To be honest, I just haven’t been motivated. I sprained my ankle a couple weeks ago and since then, I’ve spent most of my time in my room watching bootleg DVD’s. I want these entries to be timeless – something people can read in a year or two from now and still enjoy. I just didn’t think you guys wanted to read about how I watched “old school”, “American pie” and about twenty or so other movies – which I had already seen – all throughout the week. Some of you may have thought that the past caught up with me and one of those Pattaya girls ordered my “hit” here in Phuket. Fortunately that’s not the case.
While I’ve been watching movies, I’ve been multitasking and writing articles to submit to article directories. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been researching ways to earn money online and someone in the message boards turned me on to “article marketing”. To sum it up, you basically research highly searched, yet non-competitive keywords in Google, write an article on the topic emphasizing those keywords and submit it to the article directories. Somewhere within the article (usually at the bottom), you insert a link to a product you’re promoting. The goal is obviously to get your article listed on the first page in Google. If you can manage that, you can potentially get a lot of page views and as a result, you increase the likelihood that the reader will follow the link to whatever product you’re promoting and make a purchase – as you then earn a commission.
It doesn’t take much to live here in Thailand. The cost of living here is about 4 times less than what it is back in Canada. To put that in perspective, if you earn 50 dollars a day while living here, your lifestyle will be similar to the lifestyle you would have back home if you were earning 200 dollars a day. The reason I’m even mentioning this is because I know a lot of you guys are considering coming out to Thailand to train at some point. If you were to generate some sort of income while you’re here, you could then stay longer – because trust me, you’re not going to want to go home. I know I don’t!
Anyway, I’m still in Phuket and as you can see from the photo – it’s beautiful. I’m actually still living at Tiger Muay Thai and aside from the injury, things are going well. There’s no new crazy Thai girl stories since there really isn’t any girls around. Chalong – where the camp is located – is a very uneventful area. Me and my buddy went to “Chalong circle” the other night to get some food and we came across the “nightlife” area. It’s nothing but a few raggedy bars with a bunch of old, ugly ladies hollering at you when you walk by. Did I mention how old they are? It’s so bad that it’s almost laughable. For me though, that’s a good thing. There’s absolutely no temptation to go out and get involved with anything other than work and training.
And Speaking of my Training
Even though I injured my ankle, I’ve still been doing what I can. I obviously can’t kick so I’ve been doing some western boxing. The trainers have all been really good about working around my injury. However, today – for the first time in 2 weeks – I was able to throw a kick. I can only kick with my right leg (as my left foot is injured), but when you’re living on-site and you constantly see people kicking the pads – it’s just a frustrating reminder of what you can’t do! Needless to say, my workout today felt good.
However, one of my workouts last week didn’t feel so good. Not because I got hurt physically – although I do have quite the black eye – but rather, it’s the ego blow that hurt more than anything. I was paired off with the biggest guy at the camp for sparring. This guy is about 6’7 or so and weighs about 270lbs. It was just light sparring and nothing was taken overboard (luckily for me). I usually do well when sparring against people my own size but against this guy, I just couldn’t get by his reach. I basically ate jabs for 3 rounds. It certainly makes me appreciate fighters that are able to overcome their opponents reach advantage like Mike Zambidis and even Fedor Emelianenko in his last couple fights.
Speaking of professional fighters, Jon Fitch is here – but I’m sure I already mentioned that. Here’s a video of him doing his early morning padwork (I was most likely trying to sleep in the room to the right of the motorbike when this video was shot.)
As you can see from the video, the pad-holders here are incredible. I’ve worked with about 4 of them now and they’re all amazing. It certainly beats the group Muay Thai classes back at home where your pad-holders are your fellow students.
Anyway, now that I’ll be spending more time training and less time watching DVD’s now that my foot is getting better, hopefully I’ll have a lot more to write about.
Also, if you want to learn more about that internet marketing stuff that I’m trying (start of the entry), check out these two resources.
Fat Cat Blueprint
– To this day, the “fatcat” blueprint is considered to be the best guide on the Google Adsense program that was ever released. This is extremely detailed and it’s helped me out a lot. Highly recommended!
Warrior Forum
– This is the biggest internet marketing forum and it’s free. Any time you have a question about anything, just throw a post up in here and you’ll have an answer within minutes.
THINKING OF GOING TO THAILAND TO TRAIN?
I’ve developed a 70 page guide that profiles everything you need to know about training in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. In the manual, I discuss the visa issues, the Muay Thai camps, the different areas, the transportation, the food, the culture and customs, the girls, the scams, the safety issues and most importantly, how to save a ton of cash along the way!
Hey Bill,
Good to hear you’re still alive out there man. Sorry to hear about your injury dude, but its definitely cool that the trainers are good about working around it. Hopefully I don’t have anything happen that effects my training while I’m out there seeing as I’m only going to be there for 3 weeks. I arrive this week on Saturday. Another guy from my gym, Leo, should already be at Tiger since he left last week on the 29th. Do you know how much longer John Fitch is going to be at the camp? Anyway, I hope you heal up soon and get back into full training mode. See you around.
-Anthony
I was wondering if you have made any income yet off of your articles? Mind sharing with us?
Anthony,
You’re coming this Saturday? You must be stoked! You’re gonna love Thailand. Jon Fitch is here until the 15th I think.
Cody,
Just started a few days ago with the articles. I’ve written 12 so far and my goal is to have 200 written within the next 2 months. I made 1 sale for a 38 dollar commission almost immediately after an article group got published but I’ve made nothing within the last 3 days. I’ll keep you updated through.
Hi Bill,
I have been to Thailand before but I could only make a certain amount of Visa runs before they would insist on seeing my ticket home, no ticket home and they would not keep extending my visa. I was wondering how you plan on stayiong there for good.
I am from Ireland, does the same rules not apply to you as well?
Love the blogs Bill, I am just a beginner but already I am planning on going to Tiger Muay Thai next year, cheers.
You got any links to those articles you posted? Im curious to learn more about it. I want to go to Brazil for 4-6 months to a langauge school and will need a way to make a little cash while i am there.
Hey bra, Man that is so cool you get to go to different camps and train like that. Me and a friend of mine are going out there next sept 09 thru jan 10 so for four months trying to get everything squared away w/ the visa. Appreciate you posting those visa runs helps me alot to get everything planned out. Oh by the way were trying to do one month at suwit one at scorpion then the final 2 months at tiger about how much money do you think it would cost i’m probably going to bring about 3k just in case for food room and board and training anyways man i appreciate your input.
p.s. thanks for taking the time to read this.
Yea I’m pretty excited at this point, just stressing out right now about getting loose ends tied up before I leave. But yea, I think I’m really going to enjoy it. Alright man, I look forward to seeing you there. And maybe we can get some sparring time in while I’m there if you’re healed up. Just be sure to go easy on me. lol
James,
You can only get 3 “30 day stamps” within a 6 month. However, you can just go to the Thai embassy in a neighbouring country. I have to go to Malaysia in a couple weeks and try to get an “education visa” – which should be good for a year. If I can’t get the education visa, I’ll try to just get a tourist visa (which is good for 60 days, then extendable for another 30 days from within Thailand).
I think it all comes down to timing as I’ve met so many people that are living here permanently. If you break down my situation..
type “o” non immigrant visa (first 3 months)
visa run to myanmar for a 30 day “stamp”
tourist visa from a Thai consulate in Penang (2+1 months)
second visa run to get my second stamp..
third visa run to get my third stamp ..
Remember, 3 times within a 6 months period. The 6 months starts from when you first got your initial stamp ..
At this point, you should be able to go get yourself another tourist visa and repeat the process.
I’d just like to get the education visa that I was initially supposed to get as that will make things a whole lot easier.
I have a return ticket booked and I don’t mind always having a return ticket booked. Flights can be rescheduled and it’s not like the return ticket will go to waste since I still plan on going back to Canada every now and then to visit my friends and family.
All that being said, I’m certainly not an expert. This is just the stuff I’ve been reading in the ThaiVisa.com forums.
I wouldn’t quote me on any of this stuff since I’m not the most reliable source for visa information. Who knows, I might end up having some problems in a few weeks when I try to get my extension. Either way, i’ll be writing about it so keep checking..
Bill
Gabe,
Start working some overtime because 3,000 US for 4 months isn’t enough. You’re coming during the high season too and things are more expensive.
Suwit and Tiger VERY close to each other. It would take me about 5 minutes to get to Suwit on the motorbike from Tiger. So, I makes more sense financially to do Tiger and Suwit back to back, then head to Pattaya to train at Scorpion.
Pattaya and Phuket aren’t close. You’re going to have to fly. You can always take a bus but it’s about a 12 hour ride.
If you’re coming for 4 months, I recommend you bring at least 5,000 -6,000. You may not spend it all, but you don’t want to surround yourself with temptation to spend and not have disposible income.
I recommend you train in Phuket for the first 3 months and as soon as you arrive in september, book your room for the entire 3 months that you’ll be here. September is still considered “low season” so you’ll be able to get a better deal.
While you’re here, focus 100% on training and save as much money as you can. Chalong is boring as shit so as long as you don’t go to Patong, you won’t have any temptation to party.
Then, for the last month, go to Pattaya and train at Scorpion. Pattaya is an insane place and you’re going to want to go out and enjoy yourself.
If you do Pattaya first, there’s a chance that you may get overwhelmed and overspend.. thus, ruining the rest of your trip.
Hey, can you post links to some of those articles you wrote? Im curious to see exactly what you mean.
Thanks man i appreciate it very much and take care of that ankle man
Just got in last night, long day of travel yesterday. Sitting at the Tiger Grill typing this right now.
Not trying to burst your bubble – but you probably should think long and hard about staying in Thailand.
1. You really should look at the opportunity costs of living there. Take me for example I have been working in a career for 20 years – and now I am at a level where I can command a very lucrative salary (after all that hard work getting to this point). If you live in Thailand you really have to look at what career you are giving up if you lived in Canada – and how much you would have earned -throughout that career. There are many many losers in Thailand who are in their late 40s and 50s (and older) who have nothing . No career, no real friends, family they never kept in contact with, and no prospects for a brighter future. Be careful – you do not want to find out 20 years from now you have become one of them.
2. There really is no easy way of making money there. You could do the internet thing — but that is stacked against you of making any real money. Could become a —-god forbid — English teacher. But they are abused and under paid. Lucky you are smart enough to not be talking about buying into a business there – that would end badly with the international financial crisis looming probably for many years to come. I know 1,500USD sounds good to live on now. But if you live there eventual the inevitable will happen — marriage/kids. Then that 1500usd will not sound so good anymore. Thailand is cheap — but who wants to live a cheap lifestyle forever? Eventually you are going to want/need better accommodations and more stuff and that costs money.
3. Thailand is not foreigner friendly and never will be. You will always be a second class guest and VISA, land ownership and just living there will never change in your favor. But, it could get worse though.
After stating that I can honestly say that if I had “discovered” Thailand when I was a young man — I probably would have thought the same things you are. There is no country like Thailand – and I have been to many. The sites, feelings and experiences there are so intense. But you really should look at the long term costs of living there. I do have two suggestions
1. You came there with a plan. Stick with that plan. Do your Muay Thai, keep up the blog and leave when you originally planned. If you do decide to life in Thailand you can always go back. And after you get back to Canada – you can make some more money, get some schooling/education or do whatever needs to be done before you make the move. Stick with your original plan.
2. I will live in southeast Asia someday — just like you are planning. But it will be after my career is over, with a sizeable retirement check coming in every month. Remember that you can live there —- in the future — and visit/vacation short term. Oh — I have found a place I have enjoyed (although for different reasons) just as much as Thailand — that is the Philippines. Before you commit to Thailand remember there are more options available to you.
Just my two cents. I am envious of you —- wish I would have “discovered” southeast asia when I was a younger man —- but maybe not. Maybe the temptation would have been to great and I would have made some bad decisions in my life.
Good luck,
Chief
Chief,
What an awesome post. Sorry it took me so long to reply. The internet connection is brutal here. I get logged in and out every 5 minutes.
” There are many many losers in Thailand who are in their late 40s and 50s (and older) who have nothing . No career, no real friends, family they never kept in contact with, and no prospects for a brighter future. Be careful – you do not want to find out 20 years from now you have become one of them.”
Haha .. you’re absolutely right. That’s just the lure of Thailand though. People come once, return to their home country, get depressed and just throw everything away and come out here for good.
My ideal situation is to spend the summers in Canada and the rest of the time in Thailand, well, just travelling in general. Southeast Asia is appealing because a) I love it here (weather, food, beaches, women, training) and b) it’s just so affordable. Cost of living here is about 4 times less than what it is in Canada and I’m MUCH happier here.
You mention “opportunity costs” and you make a good point. But the thing is, I’m hoping to make internet marketing my career. I don’t want to do a 9-5 working for someone else. Sure, I could go back to Canada (Ottawa) and get a job in the government but I just don’t want that. I’d be unhappy and I’m happy here – that’s the main thing. I don’t really want to overlook the present but I understand where you’re coming from about not overlooking the future.
With regards to money. The internet business is like any other business. It takes a lot of work but if you invest the time, invest the money (in some cases) and offer something of value, it can be very lucrative so you’re certainly not capped at $1000, $1500 etc per month.
On a different note,
I’ve heard the Phillipines – as well as Vietnam – is incredible. I certainly have to check it out. Perhaps I’ll get over to one of those countries in Feb. when I have to go do another one of those annoying visa runs.
But yes, as is, I will stick to my original return date of May 9th to visit my family and friends but judging by the way I feel about things now, I’ll most likely on a flight back out here in September ..
Hopefully by then I will be averaging enough money per month online to have that freedom but you never know .. maybe I’ll still be broke 😉
Thanks again for the great post and advise ..
Bill
HELLO…
I JUST READ ALL OF YOUR ARTICLES….JUST WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY OPINION IF I MAY…IAM 33 ..SINGLE …WORK AS A CHEF…CITIZEN OF CZECH REPUBLIC..I HAVE TRAVEL COUNTRIES LIKE NZ,OZ,TASMANIA AND ALSO THAILAND-TWICE :)….AFTER LONG 6 YEARS IVE LIVED IN ENGLAND … I HAVE RETURNED TO CZECH REPUBLIC…I DID BUY MY APARTMENT…AND NOW WHAT..IAM IN COUNTRY WHERE IS COLD ABOUT 8 MONTHS A YEAR..THERE IS LOW PAID JOBS FOR CHEFS HERE ..ABOUT 400-500 £ A MONTH(WHILE IN UK I WAS SAVING! ABOUT 1000 £ EVERY MONTH) …..WELL NEVER MIND..I TRAIN GYM AND THAI BOX……ALSO WORKING ON PLAN WHAT TO DO NEXT.. I FEEL LIKE TO MOVE TO THAILAND FOR GOOD…ALL I WANT IS TO FEEL ALIVE ..DO MY SPORTS..
HOW AND WHEN TO DO IT ??..NOT SURE …IAM AWARE OFJOB PROBLEMS,VISA PROBLEMS …ETC.
YOU HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED TO FOCUS ON YOUR CAREER..FAMILY.ETC…ALL SO IMPORTAND FACTORS IN HUMANS LIFE..AND AFTER ALL THIS IS DONE MAYBE TO GO AND MOVE TO ASIA…OR VISIT SOMETIMES SHORT TERM …PERFECT SUGGESTION..VERY MUCH AGREE..TO THE CERTAIN POINT…AFTER 20 OR SO YEARS YOU WILL BE “OLD” GUY..NO STRENGHT OR DIFFERENT STRINGS ATACHED TO THE PLACE WHERE IS ALL LINED UP FOR YOU…ARE YOU REALY GOING TO DO THESE THINGS WHICH YOU WANT TO DO NOW….WELL IAM NOT SURE ..
ALSO IAM NOT SURE WHAT IS BETTER..TO TAKE RISK ..OR SETTLE FOR THE RIGHT?THINGS…ITS VERY INDIVIDUAL -ONE PERSON-ONE STORY…
SURE NOONE WANTS TO FEEL LIKE THAT “LOOSER”-50 YEAR OLD MEN WITH NOTHING…NO FAMILY..NO CAREER…NO MONEY…NO DIRECTION IN LIFE….
I WISH YOU ALL BEST ….AND MAYBE WANT TO SAY THESE… FOLLOW YOUR HEART…BUT ALSO BE REALISTIC…WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO WILL BE RIGHT ..AT LEAST FOR THE MOMENT..
THERE IS ALLWAYS WAY BACK ..AND IT WILL NEVER MEEN STEP BACK….
(please do excuse my english as i not native speaker)
GOOD LUCK
OLI:)