fox

Malaysians are the number one visitors to Thailand, But they only cross the border for a cheap Boom - Boom weekend. 

They are Muslims. That is just not possible. 

It is definitely possible. Half the population are non-muslims.

The majority of the people going in are the Malaysian "Chinese"

and the Malaysian "Indians" and other ethnic Malaysian races.

The muslims are the ethnic Malays and they are born muslims by law.

Please be inform that the citizens of Malaysia consists of Muslim Malays,

Chinese, Indians and other ethnic races. Malaysia is a multi-racial country.

Hi,

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT REPLY.

MUCH APPRECIATED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH ONCE AGAIN

BEST REGARDS,

fox

Hi,

My new urgent (corrected) question ;

I am now back in Malaysia.

I was instructed by the developer to transfer the deposit/full payment

from my Malaysian Bank in Malaysia to my newly opened saving account Thai Bank in Bangkok.

When the money is deposited in the Thai Bank, Bangkok, then I will transfer

the deposit/full payment to the developer in Bangkok.

Is this correct ?

Your kind response is much appreciated.

Thank you very much.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT REPLY.

ANOTHER URGENT QUESTION.

I WAS TOLD BY THE DEVELOPER TO TRANSFER THE PAYMENT FROM MY MALAYSIAN BANK

TO TO MY THAI BANK FIRST AND THEN FROM MY THAI BANK SAVING ACCOUNT

TO THE DEVELOPER. IS THIS CORRECT? I AM NOW BACK IN MALAYSIA.

THANK YOU.

Hi,

I need your urgent advice.

I am from Malaysia and I have booked a condo in Bangkok.

And I have also opened a bank savings account in Bangkok.

My urgent question is this :

I am now back in Malaysia.

1. Do I send my purchase payment by Cheque to the Developer direct ?

2. Or I transfer my purchase payment to my Thai Bank first, then make payment from there.

3. What other steps must I do.

4. Forex transfer. What is it ? Who will give me this form ?

Thanking you all in advance.

Thank you, InterestedObserver. Much appreciated. Khap Phom.

What is the procedure for a foreigner to buy a condominium in Bangkok ?

Things like, do you need a lawyer, or go direct to the developer, or through a agent and so on.

Any other problems ? And most important, are foreigners allowed to buy one ?

Your kind advice is much appreciated.

My relative intends to buy a condo around Sukumvit area.

How much is the Monthly Common Management Fee for a small Studio unit,

say aroung 60 sqm. Just an average estimate.

Any info will be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Talking about giving bribes to police and law enforcement officers in Malaysia.

A word of caution. The scenario today is very different.

The reason is that the newly formed MACC (Anti-Corruption Agency) has been going all out

to tackle this problem. Parliament has passed a law - the giver and/or the receiver will face the

mandatory jail sentence and a heavy fine if convicted.

Every now and then we hear of police officers and other civil servants being arrested and

subsequently sent to prisons. The same applies to the "giver".

In August 2008, the Immigration Department Director-General was arrested and charged

for receiving bribes.

BTW, the Malaysian Immigration On-line-computer is link to all border check points and

also link to HQ. There is no way you can fool them. They are also trained to detect fake

passports - unless yours was done by the mossad, so to speak.

Play "Black Jack" - And you lose.

Latest Update on "Black Jack".

MACC senior officer charged for graft.

An assistant superintendent with the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)

was charged in the Sessions Court here Friday with bribery involving RM250,000.

Talking about giving bribes to police and law enforcement officers in Malaysia.

A word of caution. The scenario today is very different.

The reason is that the newly formed MACC (Anti-Corruption Agency) has been going all out

to tackle this problem. Parliament has passed a law - the giver and/or the receiver will face the

mandatory jail sentence and a heavy fine if convicted.

Every now and then we hear of police officers and other civil servants being arrested and

subsequently sent to prisons. The same applies to the "giver".

In August 2008, the Immigration Department Director-General was arrested and charged

for receiving bribes.

BTW, the Malaysian Immigration On-line-computer is link to all border check points and

also link to HQ. There is no way you can fool them. They are also trained to detect fake

passports - unless yours was done by the mossad, so to speak.

Play "Black Jack" - And you lose.

Hi,

Thank you very much, Mario 2008 and ubonjoe.

Your kind advice is much appreciated.

Thank you once again to both of you.

Best regards,

fox.

Hi,

Ref : Retirement Visa.

I have 2 questions to ask. Any kind advice is much appreciated. Thank you.

Question 1.

My wife and I, both aged 60 years want to apply for the "Retirement Visa".

The question is this. Do we need to bank in THB 800,000 or THB1600,000 for both ?

Question 2.

Assuming that we want to buy a Condominium in Bangkok, costing about 4 million Baht,

then do we still need to bank in the THB 800,000 or more or otherwise - for husband and wife ?

Thank you in advance.

Hi,

Can a foreigner buy a Condo or Apartment in Bangkok.

Interested to buy a simple one bedroom room condo or apartment

in Silom or Sukhumvit.

Please kindly advice.

Thank you.

I was waiting for someone to make that point. I lived in Malaysia for a year, and the institutional racism there, in terms of the 'bhumiputra' stacked deck against any non-Malay or non-Muslim, became increasingly annoying. Along with the fact that the three major groups - Chinese, Indian, Malay - were constantly putting down the other two behind their backs, using foreign residents as sounding boards. 'Lazy muslims,' 'greedy Chinese,' and 'dirty Indians' are phrases you hear in conversation almost daily.

I'm not saying that there's more racism in Malaysia than in Thailand, only that it's more overt and more institutionalised there. Don't forget that shariah (Islamic law) in Malaysia applies to non-Muslims, including foreigners, when the offence involves a local Muslim. Get caught in a room with a closed door, with a Muslim woman who you are not married to, and you can be caned for khalwat (proximity). Zinni (sexual relations with a Muslim you are not married to) can earn you jail prison time, and sodomy with either sex, ditto.

JR would learn a lot from the experience though

A corrrection here, please !

The Syariah Law only applies to muslims.

Assuming that a non-muslim man is caught in a room with a muslim woman (not his wife)..... the muslim woman would be punished, and not the non-muslim man.

However, the man would be called in as a witness.

In Malaysia, Islamic Laws only applies to Muslims. For example, muslims caught drinking alcohol is an offence. For non-muslims, they can drink till the cows come home. I repeat again, Syariah Law only applies to muslims. (That is for the moment, unless they admend the Federal Constitution - which in unlikely,

because the muslim population is around 55% , more or less).

I am an Software person shifting from India Chennai to Singapore, the company which I am offered saying that they will pay me 3150 SGD + Medical insurance. Is that enough for me and my wife to live there. Is that possible to save atleast some money there?

Kindly revert.

Hi,

Let me put in this way. First thing first. Singapore Dollars 3150 convert to Indian Rupees is about 104,500 (more or less). Sing Dollars convert to Malaysian Ringgit is about RM7,650 (more or less).

Now if you behave and spend like an Singaporean, that amount is very tight. However, if you maintain your food and lifestyle like in India, like eat simple and don’t buy expensive items, try to save and so on, then you are OK.

For holiday, just cross over to Johor Bahru, or any where in Malaysia, then you can go eating and shopping, as if there is no tomorrow. Why ? Because your Sing one dollar is MR2.40. And if you like to meet your country men from India, then take a trip to Genting Highlands, (about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur). Everyday thousands of tourists from India visit Genting Highlands. Just a week ago, I met a IT engineer from India in Genting with his family. He told me he is now a Singaporean citizen, and happy and proud to be a Singapore citizen. He is a boss of his own company. His wife still holds an Indian Passport, but his son is a Singapore citizen. This is what I was told. Have a nice day.

Mai mee pan ha ! Sawatdi.

1. is the rainy season longer, wetter than e.g. Phuket?

2. looking for alternatives to Phuket, too crowded , too non- Thai, too---------- many things.

Assuming a 10 year visa for myself, any legal way can my Thai partner can stay?

Hi THAIPHUKET,

Pardon me for saying, there is no such 10 year visa to enter Malaysia.

You can stay 5 or 10 years, or as the case may be, if you are qualified for the "Malaysia My Second Home" program.

However, under normal circumstances, a Thai national would be given a 30 days stay on arrival.

And if you are on a "Work Permit", you can stay as long as the company (in Malaysia) needs you.

I am told that there are some foreigners who are given PR status. What are the criteria ? I wouldn't know. Please check it out.

They are very strict about giving PR status. I know of a Tawianese wife married to a Malaysian Chinese..... it took her more than

10 donkey years to get her PR. Some cases, worst, still pending. That was all I was told. Please check it out.

Hi eek,

First thing first. To begin with, there are many Westeners living in KL and Penang. They have adapted to the daily life and system there.

Coming to the question of a single unaccompanied Western girl, I have this to say. To begin with, any single, young and pretty girl would attract attention to the males. For that matter, a young, pretty Chinese, Malay, or Indian girl would attract attention.

As a single, young and pretty Western girl, you will get extra attention. The reason is this. In Malaysia, and being Asians, they are so used to looking at the same familiar Asian girls. Same goes to Western men, the young and pretty Asian girls would “ mesmerized “ them, so to speak.

Now lets talk about safety and security. For that matter, be careful, alert and be careful not to walk alone in deserted and lonely places. Do not trust strangers. Do not stay out too late at night if you are alone.

I have come across a young and single American girl doing missionary work in Ipoh, Malaysia, and she had no problems, and enjoyed her stay there.

Bty, when I was in Thailand, the Thai girls also attracted my attention. To me the Thai girls look more attractive than our Malaysian girls. Ha ha ha !

Have a pleasant trip. "Chode di nah, krap ! Sawatdi.

Being born in Malaysia (an ethnic Chinese) , holds a Malaysian passport, and a frequent traveler to Thailand, I would like to say something “mesmerizing” about Penang.

The properties, land, houses in Penang are the most expensive in the country, more expensive than KL.

Penang is the most ideal place for retirees, pensioners, foreigners, to stay (provided of course you have the funds to live comfortably).

As a matter of fact the late First Prime Minister after he had retired from politics, bought a house in Penang situated near the sea and lived there.

Penang is the second largest city, next to KL.

Of course nothing is perfect. As a foreigner you have no problems. You can’t vote and you can’t hold any political positions and therefore you will be OK there. In Thai, “Mai mee pan ha! Mai pen rai!” , so to speak.

I understand there is a special program for eligible foreigners. It’s called “ Malaysia My Second Home “. Please check it out. Bty, English is widely spoken there. In fact, High Court cases could be conducted in English with special permission. And of course, Chinese is also widely spoken there. The official language is the Malay Language. I speak 4 languages, Malay, Chinese, English, and a bit of Thai. Bty, I speak English more ….. even to my Chinese friends. It has been a normal norm to speak Chinese and English at the same time. It may sound strange to you…… but this is What Malaysia Is All About !

And talking about Chinese food. Yes it’s really fantastic. Even Hong Kong film stars have something good to say about the Chinese food in KL, Penang and Ipoh. The food is fantastic (provided of course you love Chinese food). Have a pleasant trip.

Quote:

Just thought I would post some clarification to your clarification post:

1. The more more common description I've heard or seen is Chinese Malay or Chinese Malaysian.

2. Not all ethnic Malays are Muslim. Several families attend the Christian church we went to when I was a primary student there.

3. An additional category to the make-up of Malaysians are the Caucasians, mainly of European descent and with full Malaysian citizenship, who having been living there for generations.

Thank you John for your extra info.

Additional Info:

We are normally categorized as Malaysian Chinese or the latest term is Chinese Malaysian.

Both terms can be used. However, we are so used to the former.

I hold a Malaysian Citizenship and I hold a Malaysian passport.

For further example, my former colleague..... Nationality: Malaysian/Race: Dutch.

I know of an late State Education Officer...... Nationality: Malaysian/Race: British.

One former (The Late) Headmaster..... Nationality: Malaysian/Race: Japanese

The Federal Constitution states that a Malay is a muslim.

Apostasy for muslims here is not allowed by their Islamic Jurisprudence.

A muslim here is forever a muslim. No way out. Unless you leave the country.

A very sensitive issue here. As non muslims, we have been strongly advised/warned

not to discuss this issue in the open or in public.

Quote:

But many muslims come over to Had Yai to live it up at the weekends. for years TAT were not allowed to advertise on Malayian TV, the authorities feared further exoduses at the weekends.

Religion divides Malaysia, very few Malay Chinese marry muslims what with having to convert.

A point of clarification.

The Chinese in Malaysia are called Malaysian Chinese an not Malay Chinese.

Malay is an ethnic race and the dominant race of this nation. And they are muslims.

This nation is make up of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other indigenous races in East Malaysia.

Muslims (Malays) 60% and the rest (non muslims) 40%.

If you marry a Malay you have to convert to their muslim faith. No way out.

For non muslims marrying non muslims, you are free to do what you like.

You are free to practice your own faith, eat and drink what you like, gamble at Genting Highland's casino

and go to the turf club (horse racing) and so on. For muslims, they are not allowed to do so.

BTY, more than 90% of visitors going over to Hatyai are Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indians.

We are categorized as Nationality: Malaysian/ Race: Malay or Chinese or Indian or European or what ever the case can be.

Good example for a Malaysian born Thai. Nationality: Malaysian/ Race: Thai.

Malaysia is multi racial, multi cultural, and multi religious. However, it is a muslim nation.

Breaking news from Bangkok Post.

BREAKING NEWS

Malaysia releases Thais to honour King

Malaysia on Sunday released and immediately repatriated 121 Thai nationals who had been detained for illegal entry to honour His Majesty the King's 60 years on the throne.

The 121 Thais arrived at the Sadao immigration checkpoint in the southern Songkhla province Sunday where they were greeted by relatives, said the state-run Thai News Agency.

They were released in order to join celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of His Majestty's accession to the throne, which will be held from June 8 to 13.

The goodwill gesture comes at a time when Malaysian authorities are imposing severe penalties on illegal immigrants from Thailand, including whipping, fines up to the equivalent of 200,000 baht ($5,000 dollars) and five-year prison sentences.

While Thailand itself attracts more than a million migrants workers, legal and illegal, from its other neighbours, thousands of Thais cross into Malaysia illegally is search of work. (dpa)

Quote :

We are Thai, and we shall doing in Thai Way. Actually we dont need to be fluently in English, we have our own language. We just do it to please you. Why England dont speak Thai or Chinese or Vietnamese ?

My dear friend,

If you are still thinking in this way, I regret very much to say that your country

would be going backward not forward to the future.

Your country would be going back to the 18th century.

In Malaysia, the official language ( National Language ) is Malay.

And still, they have make English as the second language of this nation.

English is an International language.

To have knowledge in business, science, medicine, and technology, you must know English.

Just for your information.

Our laws are written in English and also in Malay. Our contracts can be in English or in Malay.

Our High Court cases could be conducted in English with special consent.

Also English is widely spoken over here. I speak English, Chinese and Malay.

I can also speak a little Thai.

In conclusion, you had better change your mind-set, otherwise you would be going back to the dark ages.

Thailand must be brave enough to face realities.

It is a fact that the tourism industry is the biggest money earner

for Thailand. It is the no one economic survival. What makes Thailand

so popuplar and successful in the tourism industry. The only answer

is the sex related industry.

Let me give you some facts. Hatyai, (Thailand's third city) situated in

the South is a city that survives solely on visitors from Malaysia and Singapore.

About 40 years ago, Hatyai was just a cowboy (village) town with a few modern buildings.

Today it has grown up to be Thailand's third city, modern and full of life with the exciting

and fantastic night life. The sex related industry is the biggest attraction.

Every day, no fewer than five thousand visitors from Malaysia and Singapore go in. On weekends

and holidays, it would be full house. All hotels, ranging from 5 star to 1 star, would be fully booked.

They drive in by car, by bus, by tour bus, by motor-cycle, by van, and some just walk in.

Today, the restaurants, shops, mini cabs, and the sex related industry and the hotels are very badly effected.

Because of the Southern Thailand insurgency, the number of visitors have dropped down to a certain level.

Lately when I was there, I could see that the restaurants, shops and the night life industry were not as crowded as before.

I was informed that the tourism industry has dropped down to more than 70%. That means less than 30% vistors are going in.

Here are some of the following reasons why Malaysia and Singapore are far far ahead of Thailand.

Malaysia and Singapore were under British rule. The British left behind a world class education system,

a world class public and private infrastructure and etc. Both countries practice the British system of Parliament.

In Malaysia, laws and contracts are written in English and in Malay (the National Language). High Court cases

could be conducted in English with special consent. English is widely spoken and it is the second language.

I normally speak English with my Chinese, Malay and Indian friends. I also speak English with my family members

with Chinese in between. It may some strange to you, but it is a normal norm here. I speak more English than Chinese

with my family and friends.

As far as education is concerned, Thailand is still far far behind.

Malaysia is a muslim country (60% muslims/40% non muslims), however the non muslims are free to practice their own faith,

eat and drink what they like, go to the horse races and gamble at the Genting Highlands casinos and so on.

Nothing is perfect here, but life must go on.

Coming back to Thailand, I have a problem consulting with a Thai pharmacist (university graduate). He could not understand

some medical terms in English. He told me that his English is limited. I can understand his problem.

Hi,

You are not clear on your inquiries.

What Passport are you holdling ?

What is your nationality ?

Where are you now ?

Where did you get that visa ?

For your info:

Thai passport holders would be given a 14days or 30days on arrival

at the immigration counters for social visit purposes.