You’d think athletes with devotion and willpower strong enough to bring home Olympic gold wouldn’t waste their reward money on all-night parties and gambling. Apparently, you’d also be wrong.

Thailand is offering bigger-than-ever cash incentives for Olympic medalists, but it’ll pay out its rewards in an installment plan to keep athletes from squandering their new-found riches.

Gold medalists will bring home $309,802, silver medalists will earn $185,881 and the bronze-winners will take away $123,935. Half of each award will be paid over a 20-year period because many athletes “might need this money when they get old,” said Thai Olympic committee member Charoen Wattanasin.

Most athletes can manage their own finances well enough, but Thailand has had a few bad experiences in the past with rambunctious Olympian winners. Most notable is boxer Manus Boonjumnong, winner of the 2004 gold medal in Athens. He spent his reward on card games, excessive partying and gambling on soccer. His pregnant wife left him, and he was sent overseas to train and reform his character. Manus is heavily-favored to bring home the gold again later this summer in Beijing.

Thailand has around 70 Olympic-bound athletes so far this year, but has only brought home medals in boxing, weightlifting and taekwondo.

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Tags: Beijing, Boxing, Installment plans, Olympics, Thailand