Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
Hello everybody, first of all I am very new here and if I make some mistakes please bear it with me. I am 52 years old retired and planning to find a suitable place to live. I had been once to Bangkok and Pattaya and found the place nice with lovely people around. But I have also heard that Malaysia is also a good place to live in. I appreciate it if those who already been in these places give me some nice honest feed back. If you suggest any of these two countries please let me know why and where to live in that country.
I appreciate some information regarding the cost of living, cost of house or flat both for rent and purchase etc. How should I find the best suitable place to live, restaurant, gym etc. All information regarding driving license, medical insurance, other laws and regulations will be appreciated.
I love night life, am sporty, love good food, and like to live in a safe envirment, interested in good health care system, enjoy happy people around me.
I was also wondering if Malaysia is a strict Islamic country? How is the dress code, drinking, night life, etc for us foreigners? Is it less or more like Thailand or any other Islamic country??
Where in Thailand or Malaysia would be the best choice?
Please send some good links for all types of information.
Thanks in advance
I appreciate some information regarding the cost of living, cost of house or flat both for rent and purchase etc. How should I find the best suitable place to live, restaurant, gym etc. All information regarding driving license, medical insurance, other laws and regulations will be appreciated.
I love night life, am sporty, love good food, and like to live in a safe envirment, interested in good health care system, enjoy happy people around me.
I was also wondering if Malaysia is a strict Islamic country? How is the dress code, drinking, night life, etc for us foreigners? Is it less or more like Thailand or any other Islamic country??
Where in Thailand or Malaysia would be the best choice?
Please send some good links for all types of information.
Thanks in advance
#2
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
Both countries have a retirement scheme for foreigners. Thailand has a one year visa but you have to report to Immigration every 90 days. Malaysia has a 10 year (renewable) visa.
Both countries have great food, bars, nightlife. More nightlife in Thailand obviously.
Foreigners can drink alcohol in Malaysia provided you are not Muslim (at least offically) and some areas are more Malay (Muslim) than others.
I'll also send you a PM later.
Both countries have great food, bars, nightlife. More nightlife in Thailand obviously.
Foreigners can drink alcohol in Malaysia provided you are not Muslim (at least offically) and some areas are more Malay (Muslim) than others.
I'll also send you a PM later.
#3
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
This subject has already been covered (to death) multiple times.
You might try to do a bit of reading
Why don't you start here, a good post on the subject:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587302
You might try to do a bit of reading
Why don't you start here, a good post on the subject:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587302
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
Both countries have a retirement scheme for foreigners. Thailand has a one year visa but you have to report to Immigration every 90 days. Malaysia has a 10 year (renewable) visa.
Both countries have great food, bars, nightlife. More nightlife in Thailand obviously.
Foreigners can drink alcohol in Malaysia provided you are not Muslim (at least offically) and some areas are more Malay (Muslim) than others.
I'll also send you a PM later.
Both countries have great food, bars, nightlife. More nightlife in Thailand obviously.
Foreigners can drink alcohol in Malaysia provided you are not Muslim (at least offically) and some areas are more Malay (Muslim) than others.
I'll also send you a PM later.
How to get the 10 years visa for Malaysia? What happen if a foreigner is Muslim and drink alkohol? You never know we can have a Muslim guest as well.
Thandk you again
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
This subject has already been covered (to death) multiple times.
You might try to do a bit of reading
Why don't you start here, a good post on the subject:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587302
You might try to do a bit of reading
Why don't you start here, a good post on the subject:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587302
There was a lot of discussion about how safe it is to live in Malaysia and I did not get any answer to my questions.
By the way what is the cost of MM2H visa in Malaysia? It seem that it is going to be very expensive as others say is that true??
Thanks again
#6
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
As Bikbergen wisely suggested, why don't you do some reading? Plenty of threads on this forum. I have also given you 2 other recommended sites by Personal Message which would give you some of your answers too. Why don't you take a look at them if this is a serious posting.
What happen if a Muslim drinks alcohol? Your name is Mr Faroukh? Oh please.
What happen if a Muslim drinks alcohol? Your name is Mr Faroukh? Oh please.
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
As Bikbergen wisely suggested, why don't you do some reading? Plenty of threads on this forum. I have also given you 2 other recommended sites by Personal Message which would give you some of your answers too. Why don't you take a look at them if this is a serious posting.
What happen if a Muslim drinks alcohol? Your name is Mr Faroukh? Oh please.
What happen if a Muslim drinks alcohol? Your name is Mr Faroukh? Oh please.
As I mentioned I am very serious about this and I am going through other treads here, but at the same time I taught that may be someone can give good tips etc. And also most of the treads I read are old and the laws, regulations, etc could have changed by now.
You mentioned that you did send me 2 PM, I still do not know how to read them, I will check to find out how to do that.
Thanks body
#8
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
Top right-hand corner of screen you will see Private Messages. Just click on that link.
There are a lot of different websites about the MM2H. Theres a lot of info on the link I sent you. Cost will depend on whether you are over or under 50 I think, but take a look at the site - I am no expert.
Re the drinking - you can also find some threads on this on the website I mentioned. Yes of course it happens. Some get away with it, some don't. Up to you if you are Muslim I guess.
There are a lot of different websites about the MM2H. Theres a lot of info on the link I sent you. Cost will depend on whether you are over or under 50 I think, but take a look at the site - I am no expert.
Re the drinking - you can also find some threads on this on the website I mentioned. Yes of course it happens. Some get away with it, some don't. Up to you if you are Muslim I guess.
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 706
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
There's also a big bruhaha brewing, on this drinking alcohol business - a Malaysian Muslim Model was recently sentenced to be whipped for consuming alcohol in the state of Pahang...
#10
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
I think you'll find she is Singaporean muslim married to a Malay. I've not checked the news lately but think it was looking like they wouldn't be doing the caning. This happened in Kuantan I believe on the eastern side of Peninsular Malaysia which is majority Malay (i.e. Muslim). Not good publicity for Malaysia - maybe that's why they've backed off.
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
I believe she was a Malaysian with Singapore PR.
Both she and her father thought the caning should be carried out.
But it wasn't.
Both she and her father thought the caning should be carried out.
But it wasn't.
#12
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
oh okay - thanks for the correction. I read in the press Singaporean so I guess they got it wrong.
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
MY is enforcing Sharia laws and that means born a muslim always a muslim and better not be alone in a room with anyone other than a spouse.
Western foreigners are generally not subject to these draconian laws , ( But can a foreigner be prosecuted for having sex with a muslim?? ) and can drink all they want.
If you want sex, Thailand is for you. If you want more political stability and visa rules that are clear and applied evenly , enforced by professionals, you'll want MY.
Every one speaks English, too.
Can't give you specifics on costs in MY but in Thailand. Rent is cheaper, but paying " Farang " taxes on everything.. And BEWARE You cannot own the land if you buy a house and those 30 year " + 30 renewable.." leases are bogus , Landord has option to renew a 30 year .contract , not the lessee.
Thais like to connive and are not the most honest of folk. I think this is an Asian wide social more however.
Even with a one year extension on a visa , " Alien " has to report to their local Immigration, a division of the Police , every ninety days and fill out a form stating your address. I believe you may now be expected to have a form your landlord signs advising Immigration POLICE of Notice of Alien Residence or something... Like you've committed a crime. ( Or are going to ? )
Do not critisize the Royal Family or go to jail.
The Internet is frequently censored and a constant state of political paranoia is the current climate
Used cars are outrageously priced as is the tax on imported foods, liquor.
Teakdoor. com is an alternative discussion Thai based, English language forum that is a little less.. protective of T Land's image than Thai Visa forum which censors quite a bit and is in a partnership with The Nation and Phuket Gazette, in my view together conspire to present a somewhat rose coloured view of ex pat life T Land.
( I refer to this media partnering as the axis of benign ignorance. )
Western foreigners are generally not subject to these draconian laws , ( But can a foreigner be prosecuted for having sex with a muslim?? ) and can drink all they want.
If you want sex, Thailand is for you. If you want more political stability and visa rules that are clear and applied evenly , enforced by professionals, you'll want MY.
Every one speaks English, too.
Can't give you specifics on costs in MY but in Thailand. Rent is cheaper, but paying " Farang " taxes on everything.. And BEWARE You cannot own the land if you buy a house and those 30 year " + 30 renewable.." leases are bogus , Landord has option to renew a 30 year .contract , not the lessee.
Thais like to connive and are not the most honest of folk. I think this is an Asian wide social more however.
Even with a one year extension on a visa , " Alien " has to report to their local Immigration, a division of the Police , every ninety days and fill out a form stating your address. I believe you may now be expected to have a form your landlord signs advising Immigration POLICE of Notice of Alien Residence or something... Like you've committed a crime. ( Or are going to ? )
Do not critisize the Royal Family or go to jail.
The Internet is frequently censored and a constant state of political paranoia is the current climate
Used cars are outrageously priced as is the tax on imported foods, liquor.
Teakdoor. com is an alternative discussion Thai based, English language forum that is a little less.. protective of T Land's image than Thai Visa forum which censors quite a bit and is in a partnership with The Nation and Phuket Gazette, in my view together conspire to present a somewhat rose coloured view of ex pat life T Land.
( I refer to this media partnering as the axis of benign ignorance. )
Last edited by Chris351; Sep 22nd 2009 at 7:24 am.
#14
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
MY is enforcing Sharia laws and that means born a muslim always a muslim and better not be alone in a room with anyone other than a spouse.
Western foreigners are generally not subject to these draconian laws , ( But can a foreigner be prosecuted for having sex with a muslim?? ) and can drink all they want.
If you want sex, Thailand is for you. If you want more political stability and visa rules that are clear and applied evenly , enforced by professionals, you'll want MY.
Every one speaks English, too.
Can't give you specifics on costs in MY but in Thailand. Rent is cheaper, but paying " Farang " taxes on everything.. And BEWARE You cannot own the land if you buy a house and those 30 year " + 30 renewable.." leases are bogus , Landord has option to renew a 30 year .contract , not the lessee.
Thais like to connive and are not the most honest of folk. I think this is an Asian wide social more however.
Even with a one year extension on a visa , " Alien " has to report to their local Immigration, a division of the Police , every ninety days and fill out a form stating your address. I believe you may now be expected to have a form your landlord signs advising Immigration POLICE of Notice of Alien Residence or something... Like you've committed a crime. ( Or are going to ? )
Do not critisize the Royal Family or go to jail.
The Internet is frequently censored and a constant state of political paranoia is the current climate
Used cars are outrageously priced as is the tax on imported foods, liquor.
Teakdoor. com is an alternative discussion Thai based, English language forum that is a little less.. protective of T Land's image than Thai Visa forum which censors quite a bit and is in a partnership with The Nation and Phuket Gazette, in my view together conspire to present a somewhat rose coloured view of ex pat life T Land.
( I refer to this media partnering as the axis of benign ignorance. )
Western foreigners are generally not subject to these draconian laws , ( But can a foreigner be prosecuted for having sex with a muslim?? ) and can drink all they want.
If you want sex, Thailand is for you. If you want more political stability and visa rules that are clear and applied evenly , enforced by professionals, you'll want MY.
Every one speaks English, too.
Can't give you specifics on costs in MY but in Thailand. Rent is cheaper, but paying " Farang " taxes on everything.. And BEWARE You cannot own the land if you buy a house and those 30 year " + 30 renewable.." leases are bogus , Landord has option to renew a 30 year .contract , not the lessee.
Thais like to connive and are not the most honest of folk. I think this is an Asian wide social more however.
Even with a one year extension on a visa , " Alien " has to report to their local Immigration, a division of the Police , every ninety days and fill out a form stating your address. I believe you may now be expected to have a form your landlord signs advising Immigration POLICE of Notice of Alien Residence or something... Like you've committed a crime. ( Or are going to ? )
Do not critisize the Royal Family or go to jail.
The Internet is frequently censored and a constant state of political paranoia is the current climate
Used cars are outrageously priced as is the tax on imported foods, liquor.
Teakdoor. com is an alternative discussion Thai based, English language forum that is a little less.. protective of T Land's image than Thai Visa forum which censors quite a bit and is in a partnership with The Nation and Phuket Gazette, in my view together conspire to present a somewhat rose coloured view of ex pat life T Land.
( I refer to this media partnering as the axis of benign ignorance. )
Thanks anyway and I would appreciate any more feed back.
#15
Re: Retirement in Thailand or Malaysia
Teakdoor. com is an alternative discussion Thai based, English language forum that is a little less.. protective of T Land's image than Thai Visa forum which censors quite a bit and is in a partnership with The Nation and Phuket Gazette, in my view together conspire to present a somewhat rose coloured view of ex pat life T Land.
( I refer to this media partnering as the axis of benign ignorance. )