Which Country Is Better: Thailand Or Malaysia

[Rsquared]

Birds of a feather flock together...........go wherever you feel comfortable.

Why do you need to come on this forum and ask a serious question as to where to relocate your family from a group of people who would be in the minority of your choice of lifestyle?

Each to their own.

Good luck.

[thaifkrlim]

how do you know that non-malay non-muslims are discriminated against? Q&A or hearsay , CNN or BBC

btw, the topic is about a the OP who is a muslim contemplating to move, not about what you intend to ask

http://en.wikipedia....tera_(Malaysia)

http://www.minorityr....org/?lid=10815

http://malaysiansmus...aysia-dont.html

http://www.themalays...ty-of-marriage/

http://malaysia.answ...25114920AAkrpX7

Also sat next to a Chinese Malay, always remember his name, Jimmy Stewart.

The flight was from KL to Australia, his daughter was already in Australia, and he and the rest of his family were looking at relocating.

He was less than complimentary of the country and its practices.

Best of luck to the old guy, hope he made it.

as far as i know, there are no chinese in Malaysia by that name, and surely no malay person.

if you put two nouns together , than would make a half blood hybrid, even if the passenger was a hybrid, i dont think there is ever a chinese-malay malaysian citizen called Jimmy Stewart

Most of the usually successful other races in Malaysia would thank the government for not offering them those mediocre privileges that they dont depend on. Surely there are one of the few like Jimmy Stewart who hold grudges against the government for some petty discontentment

[StreetCowboy]

make categories for what people are looking:

Sex availability:

Alcohol availability:

Food (local quality):

Food (western availability):

Beaches:

Housing/Accomodation:

Getting around (driving/vehicles/roads):

Sightseeing:

Population (friendly/hostile):

Cost of Living:

Nightlife:

Weather:

Visa requirements:

Safety (Beaches/Attacks):

Child friendly:

Crime rates:

Tourist rip-offs:

Shopping (Western/Fake/Lux):

General Western standards density (Newspapers/TV in Bars/Clothes):

Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to reply. I will comment on your observations one by one.

Sex availability:

My wife and I are happily married. I am monogamous.

Alcohol availability:

My wife and I are Muslims. We don't consume alcohol.

Food (local quality):

Muslim food (spicy but sweet) is my favourite. It's available in Thailand and Malaysia.

Food (western availability):

My wife, children and I don't eat western food.

Beaches:

The beaches in Yala and Narathiwat are beautiful. But they are not safe. I know the beaches are safer in Malaysia.

Housing/Accomodation:

This is what we are checking.

Getting around (driving/vehicles/roads):

We think Thailand and Malaysia are similar in this respect.

Sightseeing:

My wife and I both love Malaysia. We believe the country has more to offer than Thailand, especially for our children.

Population (friendly/hostile):

Malaysians are friendly. But there are less of the fake smiles that you see in Thailand.

Cost of Living:

Very true. My wife and I do not much money. Malayisa is more expensive than Thailand

Nightlife:

We drink tea at coffee shops. We seldom go out after dark, except to pray.

Weather:

The same.

Visa requirements:

Very good point. I need to research this.

Safety (Beaches/Attacks):

Another good point. Our Muslim friends in Malaysia tell us that safety standards are higher in Malaysia.

Child friendly:

We feel both countries are the same.

Crime rates:

Malaysia is safer. We have checked this.

Tourist rip-offs:

Thailand is terrible. I won't give details.

Shopping (Western/Fake/Lux):

KL is great.

General Western standards density (Newspapers/TV in Bars/Clothes):

My family and I have no need for bars or western food outlets. But I do wish to read English newspapers and magazines. If such publications are not available, I will happily read online.

So what was the point of the op? You obviously already know which country is better (for you)?

My guess is that it was a clandestine and disguised attempt to stir up bigots.

But treating it in good faith:

Assuming you are an English speaker, and speak neither Thai nor Malay, you will find Malaysia much easier.

Assuming you were brought up in a commonwealth or former colony country like the US, you will find Malaysia easier.

Assuming that you are willing to drive in a disciplined manner, you will find Malaysia less frustrating.

As a Muslim, you may find Malaysia restrictive, as I think you will be subject to Shariah law.

I'd not like to comment on crime statistics, but I don't think Malaysia is particularly safe. But then, nor is Thailand.

SC

[StreetCowboy]

The comment earlier about Boomie (Bumi, or Bhumi) is referring to the protectionist laws in Malaysia giving rights to Malay Malaysians above and beyond other races in Malaysia. It is abhorrent in many aspects and really does stop Malaysia really pushing forward. It's not about being a Muslim in Malaysia, it is about being a member of the Malay race. However, the Thai's version of it is based upon protectionist laws in favour of the Rich families which is just as abhorrent.

Thank you. I understand now. I know there are several (sometimes quite small) ethic groups in Malaysia which the country takes pride in preserving, but I also know that these ethnic groups don't have the same status as Malay Malaysians.

But I don't think this will affect my family and I (if we move there) because we will be expats.

The whole point is that yes it does affect you if you are not Malay. Massively.

Not me. I think I have more rights and freedoms here than I have in Thailand (I'm not sure about that, because I've never had to push the limits; but the most obvious, which people drone on and on and on incessantly on this forum, is that I can own a house...)

SC

)

[brit1984]

How high are rents in Kuala Lumpur and Penang compared to Bangkok and Phuket?

How easy is it to start a business in Malaysia as a foreigner, in terms of costs and bureacracy?

[CrossBow]

If you are Muslim, on a budget, why not Indonesia?

I like Indonesia, even I'm not Muslim.

But the visa situation there is horrid. Even TH is much better.

The weather conditions are constantly shifting towards disaster.

The fumes from western factories and pollution is big.

But some Islands in Indonesia are the most stunning and beautiful in the world.

The muslims in Malay and Indo were friendlier to me than the Buddhists up north BUT

maybe thats because I have a goatee and dark hair. Blondie may be getting lots of love in LOS, who knows?

[Holysteel]

If u are a Muslim, Malaysia will be the better choice.

More Halal food. More people who are the same religion as you. Just stay away from the Chai kneess.........

Edited August 2, 2012 by Holysteel

[StreetCowboy]

If u are a Muslim, Malaysia will be the better choice.

More Halal food. More people who are the same religion as you. Just stay away from the Chai kneess.........

(sung) I like Chinese...

SC

[ddpffft]

some 25 years ago i met a student in europe... he was a chinese from malaysia... and he was talking about discrimination, harassment and even attacks from their local population, being a minority there, and of no options and inequality applied when it comes to study and to work... he was a huge schwarzenegger fan...

some 15 years ago i spent a few days in KL and penang... penang was a dirthole and depressing, because its former beauty could be seen everywhere... but all rotten... otherwise a few days in KL really suprised me... what gorgeous shopping centers, with an assortment of european and luxury goods - and that at really good prices - i still havent seen anywhere in bangkok...

Edited August 3, 2012 by ddpffft

[Naam]

And their PRO Boomie laws make Thais look racially tolerant .

a ridiculous statement! there is immobile property galore available which non-Bumis and foreigners can buy.

[StreetCowboy]

some 25 years ago i met a student in europe... he was a chinese from malaysia... and he was talking about discrimination, harassment and even attacks from their local population, being a minority there, and of no options and inequality applied when it comes to study and to work... he was a huge schwarzenegger fan...

some 15 years ago i spent a few days in KL and penang... penang was a dirthole and depressing, because its former beauty could be seen everywhere... but all rotten... otherwise a few days in KL really suprised me... what gorgeous shopping centers, with an assortment of european and luxury goods - and that at really good prices - i still havent seen anywhere in bangkok...

I'm not sure I'd base my relocation choices on quarter-century old anecdotal evidence from a Schwarzenegger fan, and a student to boot.

Presumably he was not too disadvantaged, if he was studying or travelling overseas. You're quite right about the racial violence though. In the sixties that was a big problem, and a friend of mine's wife still will not go to Kuantan and places on the East Coast where the worst of the violence occurred (Again, based on pub talk from the husband, who was back on a job of work for a couple of weeks - the family live in the UK now. Anyway, he'd gone over for the weekend to the East Coast, as he'd never been... Anyway, what I was getting round to is that 25 years ago, that would have been quite fresh in the memory. Another generation has passed peacefully since then.

Penang, and Georgetown in particular, are apparently much improved in recent years. I think they benefited from investment under the previous government (possibly mis-recollected on my part, as I try to avoid knowing, understanding, and in particular having an opinion on local politics, for safety reasons). When I was in Penang, we didn't really go into Georgetwon, but Batu Ferringi seemed nice enough, and the Queensbay Mall, where the bus picks up from, looked impressive from the outside; comparable to any of the suburban malls around KL.

I suppose the point to which people draw attention is the racist and religiously biased bumiputra legislation, which prevents Malays being competitive, and is maybe one of the biggest hindrances to the development of the country. However, there is not the same level of nationalist discrimination that we experience in Thailand. As a simple wage-serf lacking in ambition or high moral principle, I have never had a problem discrimination here.

SC

[bendejo]

...

My wife is a Yala Muslim. Yala is in the far south, but the incidents there are not as bad as all the horrible news that's been coming out of Pattani. We both want to go somewhere safer and better for our children.

...

There are two sets of laws in Malaysia, one for everyone and another layer added on for Muslims. These additional laws regard general behavior, who they can marry, how their children are educated etc. You may arrive in Malaysia and find you're already in violation of marriage laws.

[bendejo]

If Malaysia would be more gay friendly I would love to stay there special KL

Many things cheaper then Bangkok special housing chose from food also better and cheaper but for people like me "gay" a bit scary

But some short holidays at Malaysia always fun also for shopping clothes

jomtienfun

Have you been to Malaysia? You'll find out quickly that this is really not an issue. No physical contact in public, but that goes for everyone regardless. And of course keep your mouth shut about being out and proud etc. If you're into crossdressing wait until dark. Kota Kinabalu is probably the gayest town this side of San Francisco.

[Berkshire]

The OP has already clearly made a decision, but it's much simpler than what he and others are making it out to be. No list necessary.

If you are Muslim, Malaysia is better.

If you are a non-Muslim, Thailand is better.

Note: I realize that there are plenty of happy Muslims residing in Thailand, as I'm sure there are plenty of happy non-Muslims living in Malaysia. Doesn't change the general sentiment.

[StreetCowboy]

The OP has already clearly made a decision, but it's much simpler than what he and others are making it out to be. No list necessary.

If you are Muslim, Malaysia is better.

If you are a non-Muslim, Thailand is better.

Note: I realize that there are plenty of happy Muslims residing in Thailand, as I'm sure there are plenty of happy non-Muslims living in Malaysia. Doesn't change the general sentiment.

I suppose it depends on whether your life is driven by religious prejudice, or whether there are other things that you consider.

From my perspective, the better Indian food in Malaysia is one thing to be considered.

Some people might think about education, satellite television, second-hand car prices, we could speculate endlessly.

But I am sure that significant proportion of people are not driven solely by religious prejudice.

For example, Dubai and Saudi Arabia are both Muslim monarchies. I would not consider them similar, though, from the perspective of choosing somewhere to live.

SC

[thaifkrlim]

My guess is that it was a clandestine and disguised attempt to stir up bigots.

But treating it in good faith:

Assuming you are an English speaker, and speak neither Thai nor Malay, you will find Malaysia much easier.

Assuming you were brought up in a commonwealth or former colony country like the US, you will find Malaysia easier.

Assuming that you are willing to drive in a disciplined manner, you will find Malaysia less frustrating.

As a Muslim, you may find Malaysia restrictive, as I think you will be subject to Shariah law.

I'd not like to comment on crime statistics, but I don't think Malaysia is particularly safe. But then, nor is Thailand.

SC

Shariah Law is applicable only to Malaysian cItizens of muslim faith

[StreetCowboy]

My guess is that it was a clandestine and disguised attempt to stir up bigots.

But treating it in good faith:

Assuming you are an English speaker, and speak neither Thai nor Malay, you will find Malaysia much easier.

Assuming you were brought up in a commonwealth or former colony country like the US, you will find Malaysia easier.

Assuming that you are willing to drive in a disciplined manner, you will find Malaysia less frustrating.

As a Muslim, you may find Malaysia restrictive, as I think you will be subject to Shariah law.

I'd not like to comment on crime statistics, but I don't think Malaysia is particularly safe. But then, nor is Thailand.

SC

Shariah Law is applicable only to Malaysian cItizens of muslim faith

And not to other muslims who are not Malaysian citizens?

(I limit this query to the application of shariah law in Malaysia...)

SC

[thaifkrlim]

...

My wife is a Yala Muslim. Yala is in the far south, but the incidents there are not as bad as all the horrible news that's been coming out of Pattani. We both want to go somewhere safer and better for our children.

...

There are two sets of laws in Malaysia, one for everyone and another layer added on for Muslims. These additional laws regard general behavior, who they can marry, how their children are educated etc. You may arrive in Malaysia and find you're already in violation of marriage laws.

muslim non citizens are not subjected to islamic laws, no jurisdiction over foreigners, so there is no violation, you see indonesians entering casinos, arab league patronising hooker clubs, quite a favourite destination for the middle eastern

not so hardcore as you think, muslims citizens of the country can marry anybody if the spouse is a muslim or becomes one, their children can go to any school

[jacktrip]

12. Pork: everywhere in TH, rare in Malaysia. Which doesn't bother me so much.

Does not bother me at all

[Radar501]

make categories for what people are looking:

Sex availability:

Alcohol availability:

Food (local quality):

Food (western availability):

Beaches:

Housing/Accomodation:

Getting around (driving/vehicles/roads):

Sightseeing:

Population (friendly/hostile):

Cost of Living:

Nightlife:

Weather:

Visa requirements:

Safety (Beaches/Attacks):

Child friendly:

Crime rates:

Tourist rip-offs:

Shopping (Western/Fake/Lux):

General Western standards density (Newspapers/TV in Bars/Clothes):

Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to reply. I will comment on your observations one by one.

Sex availability:

My wife and I are happily married. I am monogamous.

Alcohol availability:

My wife and I are Muslims. We don't consume alcohol.

Food (local quality):

Muslim food (spicy but sweet) is my favourite. It's available in Thailand and Malaysia.

Food (western availability):

My wife, children and I don't eat western food.

Beaches:

The beaches in Yala and Narathiwat are beautiful. But they are not safe. I know the beaches are safer in Malaysia.

Housing/Accomodation:

This is what we are checking.

Getting around (driving/vehicles/roads):

We think Thailand and Malaysia are similar in this respect.

Sightseeing:

My wife and I both love Malaysia. We believe the country has more to offer than Thailand, especially for our children.

Population (friendly/hostile):

Malaysians are friendly. But there are less of the fake smiles that you see in Thailand.

Cost of Living:

Very true. My wife and I do not much money. Malayisa is more expensive than Thailand

Nightlife:

We drink tea at coffee shops. We seldom go out after dark, except to pray.

Weather:

The same.

Visa requirements:

Very good point. I need to research this.

Safety (Beaches/Attacks):

Another good point. Our Muslim friends in Malaysia tell us that safety standards are higher in Malaysia.

Child friendly:

We feel both countries are the same.

Crime rates:

Malaysia is safer. We have checked this.

Tourist rip-offs:

Thailand is terrible. I won't give details.

Shopping (Western/Fake/Lux):

KL is great.

General Western standards density (Newspapers/TV in Bars/Clothes):

My family and I have no need for bars or western food outlets. But I do wish to read English newspapers and magazines. If such publications are not available, I will happily read online.

So what was the point of the op? You obviously already know which country is better (for you)?

AmusingBellyDancers may have already made up his mind which country is best (for him). The first line in his OP reads "What do you think?", so he is trying to encourage some intelligent debate on the topic. That is the point.

[giddyup]

I can remember being in Singapore and seeing big signs in the Post Office ----- "Men With Long Hair Will Be Served Last". Does this date me?

[bendejo]

muslim non citizens are not subjected to islamic laws, no jurisdiction over foreigners, so there is no violation, you see indonesians entering casinos, arab league patronising hooker clubs, quite a favourite destination for the middle eastern

not so hardcore as you think, muslims citizens of the country can marry anybody if the spouse is a muslim or becomes one, their children can go to any school

I know a Malaysian woman who wanted to marry a Muslim man, she was required to convert to do this. They had two sons. The sons were required to be Muslim. They are now divorced. The woman is still technically Muslim but has distanced herself from all observances. Her older son (around 12 yo) has to attend special Muslim classes, though neither she nor the kid want him to.

[bendejo]

I can remember being in Singapore and seeing big signs in the Post Office ----- "Men With Long Hair Will Be Served Last". Does this date me?

Lee Kwan Yu is still alive. "You will invariably find that a man with long hair will have reefer in his pocket" is one of my favorite quotes. He still has a column in a right-wing US magazine, writes as if the Cold War is still ranging and the Domino Theory is a looming threat.

Remember the S.H.I.T. stamp in the passport? I never actually saw one, I still suspect it's a myth.

[ddpffft]

no really religious country, e.g. muslim countries or israel are free from "special treatments": for their religion-complient citizens, as well for other faithes...

a child born to a muslim father is considered to be muslim,

a child born to a jewish mother is considered to be a jew...

and religion is "expecting something" in terms of education and growing them up...

thats everywhere the same - when its a "religious" country...

christians are also expected to have their children baptised...

and when i was a child, it was considered most odd, not to be...

we had to attend religious classes - it was mandatory for catholics...

Edited August 3, 2012 by ddpffft

[giddyup]

I can remember being in Singapore and seeing big signs in the Post Office ----- "Men With Long Hair Will Be Served Last". Does this date me?

Lee Kwan Yu is still alive. "You will invariably find that a man with long hair will have reefer in his pocket" is one of my favorite quotes. He still has a column in a right-wing US magazine, writes as if the Cold War is still ranging and the Domino Theory is a looming threat.

Remember the S.H.I.T. stamp in the passport? I never actually saw one, I still suspect it's a myth.

Never heard of the S.H.I.T stamp, but I know for a fact that men with long hair were dragged in by the police for hair cuts. Don't know if it happened to foreigners but the local men were certainly subjected to it.

[AmusingBellyDancers]

I can remember being in Singapore and seeing big signs in the Post Office ----- "Men With Long Hair Will Be Served Last". Does this date me?

Lee Kwan Yu is still alive. "You will invariably find that a man with long hair will have reefer in his pocket" is one of my favorite quotes. He still has a column in a right-wing US magazine, writes as if the Cold War is still ranging and the Domino Theory is a looming threat.

Remember the S.H.I.T. stamp in the passport? I never actually saw one, I still suspect it's a myth.

This is the funniest thing I have read for a very long time.

Thank you very much for sharing this.

The SHIT stamp which Singapore put in people's passports was real. It stood for Suspected Hippy In Transit.

An even better one was in China. Tourists who were caught with prostitutes had PERVERT stamped in their passports.

Edited August 3, 2012 by AmusingBellyDancers

[bendejo]

This is the funniest thing I have read for a very long time.

Thank you very much for sharing this.

The SHIT stamp which Singapore put in people's passports was real. It stood for Suspected Hippy In Transit.

An even better one was in China. Tourists who were caught with prostitutes had PERVERT stamped in their passports.

I don't mean to be confrontational, but have you actually seen the SHIT stamp? I haven't, even back then (1970s).

Never before heard of the PERVERT stamp, but here again I'd like to see it. I can see being on a first date and the woman says "what are you, some kind of pervert?" Reaching for the passport "well actually..."

A few years back I stayed in a GH in Cambodia and the lad at the desk sold me something to smoke. When I checked out he gave me a receipt for the room and the stuff, with the word spelled out. I thought it was really funny and would have kept it, but my proper name was on it. Couldn't destroy it fast enough.

[rott]

I believe Thailand is among all other (non european) countries worldwide the winner in these categories:

Sex availability:

Alcohol availability:

Food (western availability):

Beaches:

Getting around (driving/vehicles/roads):

General Western standards density (Newspapers/TV in Bars/Clothes):

Maybe you need to get out more.

SC

....or back home.

Sounds to me like he is getting out plenty, and is perfectly happy here.

The OP seems to have already decided that Malaysia is the place for him, so I wonder why he started the thread.

[StreetCowboy]

I believe Thailand is among all other (non european) countries worldwide the winner in these categories:

Sex availability:

Alcohol availability:

Food (western availability):

Beaches:

Getting around (driving/vehicles/roads):

General Western standards density (Newspapers/TV in Bars/Clothes):

Maybe you need to get out more.

SC

....or back home.

Sounds to me like he is getting out plenty, and is perfectly happy here.

The OP seems to have already decided that Malaysia is the place for him, so I wonder why he started the thread.

My point was that

there are other places nearby where alcohol is more easily available and cheaper than Thailand (not Malaysia; in Malaysia alcohol is wallet-haemoragingly expensive)

and perhaps where sex is as easily available (again, there may be price differences, but there's more to life than money).

As far as Western food goes, Thailand, even Bangkok, ranks behind Malaysia, and, of course, Hong Kong and Singapore. (He said "excluding European countries" but I'll not get involved in discussion of places further afield).

Beaches, I can't comment; the last time I was on a good beach was in Scotland, though I am told that there are good beaches in Thailand and Malaysia.

Getting around (driving) - the roads in Malaysia and the standard of driving are much higher, driving is better in Singapore and Hong Kong...

General Western Standards density (English newspaper...) - obviously, again, Thailand ranks behind Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and probably the Philippines. If ddppfftt were to spend a little more time out and about in the region, he might have a better perspective.

SC

[MobileContent]

... My wife is a Yala Muslim. Yala is in the far south, but the incidents there are not as bad as all the horrible news that's been coming out of Pattani. We both want to go somewhere safer and better for our children. ...

There are two sets of laws in Malaysia, one for everyone and another layer added on for Muslims. These additional laws regard general behavior, who they can marry, how their children are educated etc. You may arrive in Malaysia and find you're already in violation of marriage laws.

Why would that be? If he is a Muslim convert and married under Islamic law, no government official in Malaysia would question that as it is haram. All they need to show is the marriage certificate that was issued by the Islamic Center of Thailand.