Why Thailand if Malaysia is so much easier and nicer

[leddie]

12 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Another negative aspect of Malaysia is their penchant for Irish themed pubs. Paint them green and have Kilkenny on draft and they think they're on a winner.

 

Oh yes, and they haven't sussed out how to make a decent bread product of any sort.

What about Roti Canai?  This is a flatbread, so technically falls into your "of any sort" category.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti_canai

[StreetCowboy]

4 minutes ago, leddie said:

What about Roti Canai?  This is a flatbread, so technically falls into your "of any sort" category.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti_canai

Top chapattis at the Sentral Chappati House

 

Their samosas are also the nicest I've had since I left Scotland.

[Tchooptip]

18 hours ago, Juntaa said:

Sad. I will ignore this comment.

Personally, I am not Islamophobe at all, I have had some good Muslim friends, once upon a time I sent money to students in Marocco to help to buy school supplies, knowing they were Muslims of course! So I cannot be suspected!

But for a few years, I am a little scared of what Islam is becoming in many parts of the world, compared to the years of my youth when Iranians girls went to universities in skirt hair in the wind.

And today right or wrong, I probably would not live totally in peace in a Muslim country. 

[AsiaCheese]

18 hours ago, Juntaa said:

Sad. I will ignore this comment.

You shouldn't. A good friend of mine lived in a house in the North of Malaysia for many years. He's a very unbiased and tolerant person, but he said over the years, he felt more and more uncomfortable and pushed into a corner as a non-muslim. With lots of real-life examples he could provide (no, he's anything but a drunk ranter). He's sold his house and his boat  there and moved to another country meanwhile.

[AloisAmrein]

Malaysia has a far better infrastructure then Thailand. No such stupid regulations as in Thailand, like smoking forbitten on the beach, stupid visa regulations  like re-entry permit, etc. The only disadvantage is the high price of beer, but Thailand is quickly following in this way. Another alternative is Vietnam, good infrastructure, easy to travel, much cheaper then Thailand and Malaysia, beer costs nearly nothing. 

[meinphuket]

And for a Muslim dominated country, no imbecile alcohol sales hours !

[meinphuket]

40 minutes ago, leddie said:

What about Roti Canai?  This is a flatbread, so technically falls into your "of any sort" category.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti_canai

Crickey, who's totally off topic then ??? 

[tonray]

28 minutes ago, StreetCowboy said:

Their samosas are also the nicest I've had since I left Scotland.

That wasn't a samosa you had in Edinburgh....it was Haggis

[ballpoint]

Ah, Malaysia, the land of milk and honey.  Having previously lived, and worked closely with Malaysians of Chinese, Indian and Malay ethnicity, in KL, and some state capitals, and still a frequent visitor for work, my comments are:

 

You are far more likely to be a victim of crime in KL than Bangkok.  No one, expat or Thai, In my office here has been mugged, suffered a home invasion or been victim of a snatch theft in Bangkok, yet in three years in KL, from our office alone, an attempt was made to grab a chain from my neck by a motorcycle rider in broad daylight, one person was robbed at knife point in KLCC park, a female employee and her family were beaten and robbed during a home invasion,  one guy had his phone snatched while texting outside the office, and another had his arm broken by a group of Malay youths at 19:00 in the KLCC area, who then stole his mobile phone.  I lived in an up market condo on the edge of KLCC park and we received regular warnings from the management, as over 10 residents had been victims of handbag snatch theft in the area.  

 

Corruption is just as rife, if not more so.  The first thing a number of long term expats there asked me was "is corruption in Thailand as bad as it is here?"  One English employee had his car stolen (more crime) and the police wouldn't issue a statement for his insurance claim until a fair whack of money exchanged hands.

 

Dual pricing is even worse than it is here.  At least in Thailand most places will give Thai price if you show a drivers license, but for the attractions in KL, including KL Tower, the KLCC acquarium and the zoo, you need to either show a Malaysian national ID card (MyKad) or pay the inflated price, no matter how much tax you pay in the country, or wave your iPass about.

 

Racism is not only tolerated, it is government policy.

 

The whole place has a seething undercurrent of racial tension, which will one day kick off.  My closest co-worker, of Chinese origin but third generation Malaysian, was frequently told to go home by Malays, which is quite ironic since many of their own families came across from Sumatra during the colonial days, probably more recently than his, as he goes a long way back.  There are racial events that are not reported by the government controlled media, and a number of seditious websites that play a cat and mouse game with the government, who block them only to have them pop up again under new names.  Some of the content is quite disturbing, and that's just the ones in English.  According to my co-worker, the ones in Chinese are far more so.

 

And the taxis are crap. 

 

Don't get me wrong, Thailand is very far from perfect, but, on the whole, I like it.  Should I ever start to dislike it I will leave (but definitely not to Malaysia), and, just as I don't go on Malaysia based forums bashing the place, I certainly wouldn't return to Thai Visa and bash Thailand, like some sad individuals do, if I should ever decide to leave here.  And before someone argues that I am bashing Malaysia here, this is not a Malaysian forum, and I am following the topic, by explaining why I live in Thailand and not Malaysia.  I couldn't care less what expats in Malaysia are saying about the place, and Thailand, and wouldn't care less about what expats in Thailand say about the place should I ever leave here.  (And don't get me started on Singapore!)

[geisha]

I’ve just come back from a week in Penang. The food is great, easy with the no visas, and the people very friendly and who actually talk to you and not carry a conversation, I like that. The only thing  I found more expensive was the wine . Beer around 90 baht a bottle and often bars offer two for one at happy hours that last a long time. Lots of other nice places in Malaysia and the foreigners  I know who live there love it. 

[geisha]

SOrry, above, I meant “ can carry a conversation “.

[smotherb]

19 hours ago, Juntaa said:

Sad. I will ignore this comment.

Why is it sad? I think your major reason of preferring English speakers is pretty pathetic. However, all people have a right to pick and choose where to live and their reasons are theirs. If they hurt no one, why should they be ignored. I spent over 12 years in Moslem countries; I do not like the prayer calls, the lack of pork for meals, the lack of places to have a cold beer, and the archaic attitude toward women. So, I think the poster has a valid reason; and you did ask for reasons. Does your curiosity stop at your opinion, or did you really want to know why someone else would prefer Thailand?    

[smotherb]

16 hours ago, StreetCowboy said:

So there we have it.  The main reason expressed why people preferred Thailand was their own prejudice against Muslim-run countries.  Alcohol is more expensive, and there are no ‘go-go’ bars.  Some people believe pork and hookers are hard to find, but I can assure you their faith would be sorely tested in KL.

Well, that is KL. I found pork and alcohol in Saudi Arabia in the 70s and 80s; so yes, I know it can be found.  What if you want to live out in the countryside and just run down to your local store for a cold beer or a pack of bacon? And, even though I am not in any way religious; religious reasons are as good as any. You are as bigoted as you are implying those who use Islam as their reason are.

[Altalake]

Expat Oil Worker has it in One.

 

Malaysia not for us, the Thais are very nice folks.

[Colabamumbai]

More lawlessness and sex are the first two that come to mind.

[malibukid]

in  KL people actually stop a red lights, better food, English, great symphony and cheaper prices on name brand attire.  hi-end super markets. i am  into hi-end audio and the prices on Naim, Rega, Harberth best of the British brands are better in KL, Thai hi-end audio dealers can be a little surly and  can not compete with their KL counterparts. everything is in stock, no loss of face B.S. if you find a better deal. the customer is king unlike LOS. classier experience.  higher level of education. wonderful infrastructure.  but..  hot and muggy compared to CM.  best for a weekend  shopping jaunt. 

Edited January 28, 2018 by malibukid

[pennine]

In my experience houses (in Penang) are more expensive than in Thailand, but no-one mentioned the MM2H scheme with 10 year visa, renewable. I also think that religion plays a part. Thailand is definitely more laid back than Malaysia.

[peperobi]

I was several times in Malesia, I don't see any restrictions for drinking alcohol in public, only to buy it in a shop can be a little bit difficult.

[geriatrickid]

19 hours ago, Juntaa said:

Sad. I will ignore this comment.

You shouldn't because Islam is a dominant force in Malaysia and if one is a Malaysian of one of the following faiths; Hindu (Indians), Buddhist or Christian (Chinese) one suffers state sanctioned discrimination, ignoring how they treat Jews and Bahais.

 

17 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Not sure why you would ignore that comment.

Islam means no hookers, high alcohol prices and no pork.

Beer in KL costs more than in the UK.

I could live without the hookers, but I insist on bacon for breakfast and a beer with dinner.(not that keen on lamb or goat)

Forgoing pork and especially high  saturated fat/high sodium bacon isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately, the substitute chicken sausages are no better. Ok, so alcohol can be expensive. If one isn't an alcoholic it is no biggie. I am also shocked by wine prices in Thailand.  I expect Europeans and Americans must have conniptions when they see 1500 baht for a bottle of plonk. The hookers are everywhere, and many are those transvestite people. 

 

33 minutes ago, meinphuket said:

And for a Muslim dominated country, no imbecile alcohol sales hours !

Depends on the particular state like Kelantan.  As of July 2017 Sharia law  with canings for lawbreakers is in force.

[StreetCowboy]

If the cost of beer is a deal-breaker for you, I understand Langkawi is a duty-free area, and beer is much cheaper there, so I am told though not in the five-star hotels...)

 

SC

[StreetCowboy]

1 minute ago, geriatrickid said:

You shouldn't because Islam is a dominant force in Malaysia and if one is a Malaysian of one of the following faiths; Hindu (Indians), Buddhist or Christian (Chinese) one suffers state sanctioned discrimination, ignoring how they treat Jews and Bahais.

 

Forgoing pork and especially high  saturated fat/high sodium bacon isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately, the substitute chicken sausages are no better. Ok, so alcohol can be expensive. If one isn't an alcoholic it is no biggie. I am also shocked by wine prices in Thailand.  I expect Europeans and Americans must have conniptions when they see 1500 baht for a bottle of plonk. The hookers are everywhere, and many are those transvestite people. 

 

Depends on the particular state like Kelantan.  As of July 2017 Sharia law  with canings for lawbreakers is in force.

Shariah law only applies to Muslims.

[alex8912]

16 hours ago, HampiK said:

The Muslim country is a problem, as for example in KL you will sometimes wake up 4 clock morning because of the praying.

I am surprised, that you not mention this behavior as this was the main problem for me in this country!

It's in my neighborhood in BKK near Rachatewi. You get used to it easily and my a/c is on most mornings anyways and can hardly hear it. 

[BMW Overlander]

1 hour ago, ballpoint said:

Ah, Malaysia, the land of milk and honey.  Having previously lived, and worked closely with Malaysians of Chinese, Indian and Malay ethnicity, in KL, and some state capitals, and still a frequent visitor for work, my comments are:

 

You are far more likely to be a victim of crime in KL than Bangkok.  No one, expat or Thai, In my office here has been mugged, suffered a home invasion or been victim of a snatch theft in Bangkok, yet in three years in KL, from our office alone, an attempt was made to grab a chain from my neck by a motorcycle rider in broad daylight, one person was robbed at knife point in KLCC park, a female employee and her family were beaten and robbed during a home invasion,  one guy had his phone snatched while texting outside the office, and another had his arm broken by a group of Malay youths at 19:00 in the KLCC area, who then stole his mobile phone.  I lived in an up market condo on the edge of KLCC park and we received regular warnings from the management, as over 10 residents had been victims of handbag snatch theft in the area.  

 

Corruption is just as rife, if not more so.  The first thing a number of long term expats there asked me was "is corruption in Thailand as bad as it is here?"  One English employee had his car stolen (more crime) and the police wouldn't issue a statement for his insurance claim until a fair whack of money exchanged hands.

 

Dual pricing is even worse than it is here.  At least in Thailand most places will give Thai price if you show a drivers license, but for the attractions in KL, including KL Tower, the KLCC acquarium and the zoo, you need to either show a Malaysian national ID card (MyKad) or pay the inflated price, no matter how much tax you pay in the country, or wave your iPass about.

 

Racism is not only tolerated, it is government policy.

 

The whole place has a seething undercurrent of racial tension, which will one day kick off.  My closest co-worker, of Chinese origin but third generation Malaysian, was frequently told to go home by Malays, which is quite ironic since many of their own families came across from Sumatra during the colonial days, probably more recently than his, as he goes a long way back.  There are racial events that are not reported by the government controlled media, and a number of seditious websites that play a cat and mouse game with the government, who block them only to have them pop up again under new names.  Some of the content is quite disturbing, and that's just the ones in English.  According to my co-worker, the ones in Chinese are far more so.

 

And the taxis are crap. 

 

Don't get me wrong, Thailand is very far from perfect, but, on the whole, I like it.  Should I ever start to dislike it I will leave (but definitely not to Malaysia), and, just as I don't go on Malaysia based forums bashing the place, I certainly wouldn't return to Thai Visa and bash Thailand, like some sad individuals do, if I should ever decide to leave here.  And before someone argues that I am bashing Malaysia here, this is not a Malaysian forum, and I am following the topic, by explaining why I live in Thailand and not Malaysia.  I couldn't care less what expats in Malaysia are saying about the place, and Thailand, and wouldn't care less about what expats in Thailand say about the place should I ever leave here.  (And don't get me started on Singapore!)

 

I have lived 8 years in Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) and Kuala Lumpur.

 

Absolutely agree with the poster (ballpoint). Back in early and mid 90's prior to Asian Economic crisis, Malaysia was fantastic place for an investment, safe, local people were more united and proud to call themselves Malaysian regardless of race or ethnic background. Sadly, these days racial tension is on such a high level I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of civil war in near future.

 

I had my fair share of home invasions too...once when my wife was 3 months pregnant which almost resulted in her losing the baby due to emotional stress and fear suffered. In 8 years I had car stolen 6 times (yes, six) despite living in high end condo of Bangsar area. Going to Police and reporting stolen car was met with total indifference by police, "don worry lah you get insuran" is what they said.

 

Malaysians are generally very friendly people and quite curious. They will ask you personal questions after 5 minutes of conversation without realizing that is kind of rude.....but I didn't mind. I had no problem with my muslim friends, in fact used to spent time in their villages during Hari Raya festivities etc but as one poster said, just can't trust Islam governed countries. Once they get power they turn power drunk and come up with extreme rules  and laws that affect non-islamic population.

 

Country is corrupted to the core: from average employee all the way to the top of the government. Crime is rampant, daylight robberies, home invasions, drugs, kidnappings, carjackings...women are absolutely no safe when walking alone at the main street, shopping mall, parking lots. Upscale and even midscale condos are now patrolled and secured by Nepalese, some of them retired Gurkhas. High rise buildings residents are forced to install iron bars on windows to secure property from daring cat burglars. Broad daylight assassinations are well documented on social media, this was unheard of back in 90's in country where simple possession of single live round could send you to gallows. Continental side of penang state is in control of brutal ethnic Tamil indian gangs.

 

The only nice place to live in Malaysia is Langkawi, nothing else.

 

Edited January 28, 2018 by BMW Overlander

[bkmbkk]

19 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

I worked a couple of year in different parts of Malaysia and never felt truly welcome. There is this underlying segregation between the Malay, Chinese-Malay and Indian-Malay everywhere you go.

 

Thailand feel more like home to me. 

I agree 100% with your post - I felt the same way working in different parts of Malaysia.

It helped me to understand why I will never want to live there.

 

[scuba2day]

18 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Not sure why you would ignore that comment.

Islam means no hookers, high alcohol prices and no pork.

Beer in KL costs more than in the UK.

 

I could live without the hookers, but I insist on bacon for breakfast and a beer with dinner.

(not that keen on lamb or goat)

Complete non-sense.

Pork is readily available. Most supermarkets have a non-halal section.

The place is crawling with hookers if that is a priority in your life.

Decent imported beer (draft and bottles) can be found cheaper than in Thailand and about the same a back home. On Langkawi imported alcohol is amazingly cheap as it is a duty-free zone.

 

 

[geriatrickid]

17 minutes ago, StreetCowboy said:

Shariah law only applies to Muslims.

I suggest you check out what has been going in Kelantan and Terengganu. 

The old assumption that converts and non practicing muslims were exempt, no longer holds. One cannot opt out of being a muslim. marry a muslim and  if it is a civil matter, Islamic laws can be applied at the behest of the implicated muslim. If you were the Hindu or  Chinese Christian  you must defer. If you are a muslim who found jesus, it won't work because you are muslim no matter what.

 

[dotpoom]

Not sure this is the right place to ask.....the majority of people on here love to put Thailand down and bash it at every given opportunity (even make giant leaps to squeeze in a "put down" if none.is obvious) but for some unknown reason choose to live here.....

   Figure that one out?

 

Edited January 28, 2018 by dotpoom

[peterb17]

20 hours ago, Juntaa said:

Sad. I will ignore this comment.

 

Why sad?

 

its an extremely valid point.

 

The country is moving towards an Islamic state.

 

Though a minority on this forum , I have always been totally open about being a gay man.

 

Malaysia : penalty for same sex relationship : up to 20 years in prison , with possible fine and perhaps a whipping .

 

Increasingly Christians are being persecuted.

 

I have been to KL to visit a friend who studied in the UK , he is Catholic- yet his parents gave him Muslim first names. That tells you a lot. 

 

Live there - no thanks . 

 

 

[toughlove]

Not sure this is the right place to ask.....the majority of people on her love to put Thailand down and bash it at every given opportunity (even make giant leaps to squeeze in a "put down" if none.is available) but for some unknown reason choose to live here.....
   Figure that one out?

Most are failed expats who couldn't even carve a life out in 3rd world and were forced back to a council flat in blackpool or similar and still can't let go of thailand.

Yes there are some jaded people still here but in fact it's nearly always the same gang of 50 posting its just repetition. What a desperately sad club to join [emoji25]

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

No farang prices you must be joking? Have you every been in Penang and Langkawi and tried to enter museums etc.