BusyB

Malaysia grants a 90 day visa free stay - only want to see a return flight.

I am planning a few days in KL and surrounds later this month and considering taking a female friend with me. There's no problems sharing hotel rooms with an unmarried companion in LOS obviously. But what about Malaysia? Would we have to produce a marriage certificate, or can I book a hotel room and assume we can share and not have problems on check-in? Could we expect to be forced to buy separate rooms? Anyone any (perhaps recent) experience? (Mods: I looked at the Malaysia Forum, but it seems to be only sporadically used/visited - General Chat the last post is mid-August - so I thought perhaps more input from travelers here.)

Many thanks Joe.

Dr. Jack, I thought unlimited number of visa exempt entries via air allowed. I am on exempt entry extension (came in by air) and planned to make a side-trip for a few days to maybe KL or Vientiane towards the end of this month to fly back in for a second round. Are you saying this is dodgy and I may not get back in? How dodgy is it? Or is your comment specific to OP? For info: This is my 1st stay here since 2017 when I did 2 months on a TR visa. I've been playing the snowbird since about 2002 - almost always with TR visa. I have no overstay history as such (2 days in 2005 or whenever). I'd rather make a side trip to explore somewhere new from time to time than a one day land hop. That was my basic plan here before I return home in Spring next year.

I have just stumbled across a community called monklifeproject(dot)com. It seems to be pukka and above board but I thought I'd check back here first. They offer a week's lay introduction and then ordination for a total 30 days, 60 if you're gripped by it. The whole process takes place at 3 different sites in the north-west. I'm wondering if this is a good idea. Is it realistic? I suppose it is, since Thais ordain for a mere week sometimes and then disrobe. Is it trustworthy/effective? There is a fee of $500,-. Having said that the ambient and facilities seem a bit more welcoming than Suan Mokkh's austerity. Almost appealing. The Wat Pananachat forest monastery offers an attractive 6 week layman's experience, and I am seriously looking at that as well, besides a second retreat at Suan Mokkh. But Wat P is set up with long term ordination as a potential goal. The layman's period as a guest/visitor also appeals to me and would be available, but I have no plans to leave the laity permanently yet. (I think I'm too old for them at mid-60 anyway.) But what do you bhikkhus think? Is a 30 day ordination for 500 bucks a worthwhile goal? (By the way I came across my original Suan Mokkh post (from 2012) as I scanned the forum for any hints about monklifeproject. I realized I hadn't reported back. I'll catch up on that soon. Thanks for those who offered guidance - I could really relate to some of it in retrospect. But I am also at a completely different level of development now having found MY meditation position - unfortunately after 4 years more struggle 555.)