They save up first then go there. Also living there is cheaper than living in their home countries.

But they don't do that forever. They go to Thailand to train for a while, maybe fight a few times, then go home. Or get a job, marry a girl and that's all folks!

correct as its pretty hard to make a decent living out of Muay thai, even in the west unless your signed to showtime/k1 etc just fighting muay thai wont earn you very much... most do it as they love the sport. will have a gym, other job etc etc too...

This I can answer very well. There are several hi/bye westerners and thais who I know in Thailand. There is misconception that they are 'full-time' fighters but in fact they are not.

First, the living expenses in Thailand is very low. Therefore, if you have saved enough in US/Europe you can live in Thai for several years without working. They make money by doing graphic designer/video/online website/ebay/journalism and more. Another is a BJJ coach learning MT. So he get pay for coaching BJJ there. Fight: they get pay for winning.Some even own a MT gym and land.

Even the thais there, most of them have other careers. Some kids actually attend school in the morning and come to gym in the afternoon. And they disappear during exams. Some do fishing and farming, they come after work and during off-seasons. Some are coaching or coach assistants. Some gym pay their fighters.

So it is not what you think, most dont just do muay thai alone.