12 Weeks in Thailand: The Guide Book to Travel Cheap, Learn Muay Thai all while Living the 4-Hour Workweek

I've been following various "lifestyle design," "4 Hour Work Week," "Digital Nomad," etc, etc. bloggers for over two years. They sell the dream to people like me who want to travel the world: live from anywhere while earning money. Easy, right? Most of these bloggers conveniently gloss over how much hard work it takes to achieve this type of lifestyle, then later, how much dedication it takes to sustain it.But not Johnny.This book (and also his blog) is one of the realest, truest accounts of someone who took the leap from professional office worker to online entrepreneur while...yup...living in Thailand to keep expenses low and the quality of life high. (12 Weeks, by the way, ended up being 5+ years for Johnny). From his first short vacation to how he became a paid scuba dive master to how he fought as a professional Muy Thai fighter, this book is entertaining and informative start to finish. I read it almost non-stop, over the course of two sittings.A few other reviews mentioned that Johnny's style was too simple, too plain, but that's exactly why I appreciated this book. It's written honestly, by an average guy who achieved (and continues to achieve) his goals with hard work. Basically, the book reads as if Johnny was sitting with you over beers, explaining why he did what he did and how you can do the same.There are a few reasons why I paid for this book instead of simply reading this blog / listening to his podcast for free:1) Johnny proved he was legit over the course of many blog posts ~ he is so obviously living what he preaches that I wanted to learn more about his background. This book, in fact, is more background on his reasons for leaving the office and how he transitioned into a successful entrepreneur than the nuts and bolts of how he currently runs this ecommerce business (this business came into being toward the end of the book). This book is his journey, his struggle. If you're more interested his current entrepreneurial projects, read his blog and/or listen to his podcast. You'll likely come back to the book anyway just like I did.2) I needed practical advice for living in Thailand ~ I'm currently en route to Chiang Mai, Johnny's preferred Thai city and homebase. There I plan to dedicate my time and energy to creating an online business similar to the kind Johnny's manages from Thailand. This book talks extensively about expenses (rent, food, transport, etc), what to expect culturally (even in the very different dating scene), where to live, and where to travel within the country. Though this books very much has a male perspective (Johnny's a dude afterall) I think it's equally relevent to females. Even the section on the Full Moon Party, a scene I thought I'd skip completely since I'm no longer a 20-something backpacker, were interesting and have me thinking, "Why not?" It's an unique experience. Throughout the book I was constantly bookmarking paragraphs in my Kindle. Soon I hope to visit some of the lesser-known beaches and dive spots Johnny' mentions.3) I needed inspiration for my upcoming plans to start an online business ~ Maybe you're lucky and you're surrounded by postive, active, dedicated entrepreneurial people...but I'm not. Loves ones don't understand why I can't just tuck myself into a cubicle, buy a house, and be happy. Many of my friends are office professionals content with their 14 days of annual vacation. They have mortgages, fancy cars, and immerse themselves in TV series then talk about them with co-workers at Happy Hours. My other friends are travelers, like me. No mortgages or cable TV, but they---like me---have been stuck in the cycle of work, save money, travel, return broke, repeat. It's not sustainable. After struggling and saving some money, I now have an opportunity to move to Thailand to build that 'digital nomad' lifestyle that better fits my personality. This book is like a supportive friend, one who understands that maybe the norm is not normal and I'm not that crazy afterall. It illustrates that the lifestyle Johnny describes is not only possible...but fun. It's a difficult journey but even the hardest days are part of the adventure, and certainly more interesting than the alternative: a lifetime of office work, a few quick vacations per year. In short, whether you're going on vacation to Thailand or trying to drastically change your life with an online business, this book will motivate you to follow through.This is the first review I've ever written on Amazon ~ that's how much I enjoyed the book. Don't expect it to be great literature, it's not. It's a friend urging you out of your comfort zone, to live more, to be more healthy, to meet more people, see more sights, and maybe, just maybe, change your life forever.

This book feels more like a travel memoir focused on Muay Thai and diving than anything else.There is information regarding prices, dating, and leaving your current life for an adventure in a foreign land that should be exciting to anybody that has yet to travel for more that a short two week stint.Personally, I find the book to be a three star, but reading this would helpful to a good mass of the people that have yet to really venture out. A bump in my star rating for that.I'm sure anybody can pull well over $10 worth of info from the book to justify the cost.Overall, I think the book is too focused on the authors personal hobbies and interests to title the book just "12 Weeks In Thailand".Still, you will find some bit of info in the book that will more than justify the cost of the price paid.

Wildly enough this book came at very clutch moment in life, now. I consumed this book in light reading over a few days and found some strong value in what was written taking a lot of notes along the way. It's the kickoff of 2017, I just returned from living abroad in China to not find it as fulfilling as I hoped... and this book is all about the next frontier I plan to travel too at the midway point of this year, Thailand. While living abroad already there is just too much positive energy backed by inexpensive financial stats boasting that Chiang Mai, Thailand is the place to be. I recently finished the 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss which as said by the author of the 12 Weeks served as the precursor to writing this book. Consuming both of these books only served to magnify the delivery of the 12 Weeks in Thailand by Johnny FD. After already having lived in Asia, understanding the cultural diversity and stark contrasts compared to western culture, and complications that come from the ever changing "visa" science designing your monthly mobility, I can say Thailand is at the top of my list to set up residence and travel throughout. I even have a buddy that jumped the gun just the other month and enrolled his young daughter into a prestigious international school in Chiang Mai, Thailand where many other westerners are doing the same thing. I can only perceive that from here the world is motioning towards a more international society that is, at its heart, free. Johnny FD was an early pioneer to this ride and did it in strong arm/diving fashion. His YouTube videos in collaboration with many other now "digital nomads" further solidified purchase.Chiang Mai is a new chapter to attainable paradise without having to wait years in turn to finally cut that retirement check late in life. Do your own research, you'll see soon enough.I deeply appreciate that this book was written. I'm currently on a book journey trying to digest one book a week at minimum. I already have your following book and hope to complete that soon as well. It would be great to attend a conference in Thailand and meet the man, until then I'll be pioneering my current model and arrive out there soon enough... until then!

I’m a 19 year old girl, going to Thailand for 6 weeks for volunteering purposes, not Muay Thai or anything of the sort. Nevertheless I found this book extremely helpful to get a view on what I should be expecting. Its a very easy read, filled with practical advice (even though I suspect some of the prices are a bit outdated - 2013). His story is also very interesting, inspiring and funny at some points. This is worth for its honesty that I wouldn’t find in any other guide. That being said, I wouldn’t mind if it was priced at a little lower since I don’t really care about MMA or Muay Thai or about the dating part (even though its still nice to understand the culture). Also, I was sometimes confused about his cronological timeline as he mentions certain things more than once.

I just finished reading this today. As a fan of Tim Ferriss' 4 Hour Work Week, it was cool to read about someone who'd actually taken the leap and 'done it.'I'm gonna make it my mission to head over for a 12 week 'fight training' trip to Thailand as soon as I can. I'll be sure to look up the author and buy him a beer...or a soft drink if he's in training.Highly recommended. It's 4 stars due to the good number of spelling and grammatical errors but that's easily ignored. With a quick once-over from a proof reader, it would be 5 stars for sure.

Having spent a year in Thailand travelling around, I found myself disagreeing with Johnny on many aspects. I also found the book a little outdated and recommend doing additional research.

I really enjoyed this book and it was extremely helpful as my son is hoping to go to Thailand for 12 weeks. Thanks for being so open, honest and candid in your reporting.

This is a no nonsense, nothing held back guide which will be indispensible to anybody thinking of visiting Thailand. I am going to Chiang Mai and feel 100% pumped and ready for an amazing experience. Thanks Johnny