Training in Thailand is the dream of every Nak Muay aspiring to deepen their Muay Thai knowledge and improve their technique, endurance, and overall skill level.
Sometimes, it’s actually more challenging to save money for a trip to the ‘Land of Smiles’ than it is to train Muay Thai.
There are many excellent online resources on how to save enough money to afford a trip to Thailand, and we’ve compiled some of the best tips.
How Much Money Does it Cost to Go to Thailand?
This is one of the most common questions travelers ask when considering a trip to Thailand, whether for vacation or specifically for Muay Thai.
Depending on the quality of life you want, costs can vary significantly.
Typically, the most expensive part of your trip to Thailand will be airfare to and from the country. High season in Thailand runs from November to March. During this period, demand for tickets to Thailand is high, as reflected in ticket prices. The low season runs from April to October, and ticket prices can be half the cost of a ticket to Thailand from your country.
There’s a very informative Quora post on how much it costs to travel to Thailand here.
To get a rough idea of the cost of training for a Muay Thai Gym in Bangkok, here is Khongsittha’s pricing page.
Planning your travel a month or more in advance can save you hundreds of dollars in travel fees.
The picture below shows the ticket costs from New York to Thailand in February.
The key takeaway is that these are the current prices if you plan to reserve your ticket in September.
Update: As of September 6th, the prices below are for a trip to Thailand in November.
Planning even two months will allow you to get a very cheap ticket to Bangkok.
Prices will likely increase as we approach high season, so plan your trip to Thailand to save money.
In December, flights from New York can range from $ 1,200 to $ 2,000 USD for economy-class tickets.
Keep notifications on for websites like Kayak to receive emails when the best time to purchase a ticket is.
Good Spending Habits in Your Home Country
Unless you’re a multi-millionaire, chances are you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a trip to Thailand whenever you want.
You’re going to have to save money, eat out less, cancel unnecessary recurring subscriptions, and go out and drink less. Good spending habits are not only beneficial for your future trip to Thailand; they can also help you take multiple trips to train.
A few key tips for your savings plan are outlined below.
1. Eat out Less
Spending $10-$20 a day on fast food or dining out for dinner can seriously dent your Muay Thai Vacation savings plan.
To put this into perspective, the average exchange rate of the Thai baht to the US dollar over the last five years has been 35 THB/1 USD. A delicious and filling Thai dinner consisting of grilled chicken, papaya salad, and sticky rice will cost approximately $2- $3 USD. Skipping out on dining out for a few days a month will provide you with enough cash to feed yourself for an entire month while living in Thailand.
If you can’t save cash on eating out, or it’s not possible where you live, take a look at this Moneycrashers article on how to save money when you do decide to eat out at a restaurant.
2. Stop Drinking Coffee Every Day
Coffee has become a staple in many people’s lives, especially for athletes who work full-time and train regularly. The average cup of coffee in the United States is roughly $4 USD. Drinking a cup of coffee every day can run up to $120 USD a month. Halve your coffee and caffeine intake, and you’ll be able to afford your Thailand vacation trip much quicker.
3. Stop Drinking and/or Smoking Now
Let’s face it, we all know that these two habits are the worst possible things to do for your health, and also your wallet. The costs of drinking and smoking add up significantly, and it goes without saying that if you cut these out now, your ability to come to Thailand to train Muay Thai will speed up significantly.
4. Cancel your Subscriptions
One primary money-saving technique many people overlook is managing recurring subscription fees. Services such as your Netflix account, cable TV, dry cleaning, and phone bill can add up to well over $200 USD per month, depending on your city.
5. Reevaluate your Housing Options
Sometimes the best way to cut costs and afford a fantastic trip to Thailand is to consider the cost of your house, apartment, or condo. There are many ways to lower this cost, such as finding roommates, moving to a less-expensive area, or even moving back in with your parents. While these may seem like extreme options, they are all feasible and will significantly boost your Muay Thai Vacation Savings Plan.
6. Start a Muay Thai Vacation Savings Account, and Don’t Touch It
Your Muay Thai Vacation Savings Account is entirely dependent on the savings strategy that you plan on using. It’s called a savings account for a reason; touching this savings account for unnecessary costs while at home will only prolong your ability to afford a vacation.
Sacrifice is a part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire to. – Mitch Albom
These are literally the best ways to save money for your Muay Thai Vacation to Thailand. If you implement these tips into your daily routine now, you’ll be able to save money for your trip to Thailand in a few months rather than an entire year, and you will even have the foundation to have multiple trips as time goes on.
