Thailand or Malaysia? Which is the best travel destination?

Thailand or Malaysia? Which is the best travel destination?

Thailand and Malaysia are Southeast Asian countries with diverse landscapes and unique experiences. Thailand is a popular destination for holidays and is known for its natural beauty and friendly people. Malaysia is a good choice for those who want to experience lush jungles, mountains, and outdoor activities.

If you are looking for a tropical holiday, head to Thailand. If you want to experience lush jungles, mountains, and various outdoor activities, head to Malaysia. Thailand and Malaysia are two stunning countries in Southeast Asia with diverse landscapes that offer unique experiences to travelers.

A country I’ve visited many times over the past 12 years. At one time, I traveled extensively around much of that country for ten months and, on returning to my own country, made plans to return to Indonesia to live (which I did for two years). It’s a vast country. It’s beautiful, with so much culture and diversity.

Malaysia is quite an “easy” country to travel around, but it would be my second choice with areas like Sarawak and Sabah. Thailand: I first visited this country 26 years ago; for me, it’s a country that offers Bangkok as a cheap transport hub for any long-haul flights.

My last visit was in the northwest region, far better than most other parts of Thailand. Even then, there were too many travelers following the online nomadic lifestyle. For me, Indonesia offers an accessible life full of friendly people.

Thailand is even more repressive than Malaysia, though the wrong comment on Facebook can land you in jail in either place. What flavor do you like your dictatorships? Thailand is unapologetically a military dictatorship, while Malaysia hides behind the pretense of being a democracy.

Islam or Buddhism? For Malaysia, press one. For Thailand, press two. English? It is much more widely and better spoken in Malaysia than in Thailand. Food? Thai food is good. It’s better than good, it’s excellent, but Malaysia? It takes food to a whole different level than other ethnic influences.

Should I watch One Pace or One Piece?

This is a subjective question, depending on which subject and personal preferences. I want to share my experience of living, working & traveling in both countries. By the way, I am Malaysian, and my wife is Thai.

Table of Contents

I have three kids; 2 were born in Thailand and 1 in Malaysia.

Economy – Thailand and Malaysia are the 2nd and 3rd largest economy within ASEAN based on GDP List of countries by GDP (PPP)
Standard of Living – relatively evenly matched in both countries. Compare myself and my close friend in Thailand. We both have the same jobs and can afford almost everything (houses, cars, entertainment, holidays, etc.)
Education – Public schools in Malaysia teach English and another language (vernacular schools) besides the national language. Thai schools seldom emphasize English, let alone a third language. The average Malaysian kid is more multi-lingual in this aspect.
Healthcare – The govt subsidizes public healthcare systems in both countries. But for private healthcare, I prefer Thailand, which is cheaper and better. I can attest to this by comparing my kids born in Thailand’s private hospital (eldest kid) and Malaysia’s private hospital (youngest kid). My second kid was born in a Thailand govt hospital. It was cheap and above my expectations compared to stories I heard from my friends who used Malaysian govt hospitals.
Transportation – other than the traffic jams in Bangkok, the transportation infrastructure in Thailand is reasonably good compared to Malaysia. All the major roads linking provincial towns in Thailand are dual-lane carriageways and are toll-free and toll-free. In Malaysia, one would need to pay tolls on the expressways or use mostly single-lane carriageways on the trunk roads. Railway coverage in Thailand is more extensive and serves all major towns and cities. Air travel in both countries is quite convenient, with both countries having their flag carriers and LCCs.
Food – now this is a ‘hot and spicy’ topic (no pun intended) as both countries offer lovely, delicious, mouthwatering food. I understand some people might have different preferences for Thai or Malaysian food, but if anyone dislikes Malaysian and Thai food, there might be something wrong with their taste buds.
Shopping and Travelling – both countries offer affordable and luxury segments to cater to the masses. The hospitality and service in Thailand are better than those in Malaysia.
Communicating with locals – Malaysians generally speak better English than Thais, but many Thais have learned to communicate in English and Mandarin at tourist places.
Govt policies – Thailand govt has been unstable over the past few decades. Several coups have seen democratically elected governments being overthrown. The recent general election in Malaysia proved that the people practice real democracy by voting out a ruling government of 61 years.
Corruption – Malaysia used to be almost as bad as Thailand in this aspect. However, corruption has been reduced and curbed by the new Malaysian government.
Freedom of speech and media – Malaysia is currently much better regarding freedom of speech and media. In Thailand, less so, especially if it’s anything to do with the royal family.

So, depending on which aspect one looks for, both countries have pros and cons.

This one is strange, as they are both different but very similar. For one, they both sit in Southeast Asia and have great beaches and friendly people. In terms of living, Malaysia is more accessible than living in Bangkok (Thailand). I have spent considerable time in both as I have a residency in both.

Housing– KL has better living space, while in Bangkok, if you’re getting a condo, a 72 sqm is considered significant, while in KL, it’s standard, and you don’t feel claustrophobic.

Malaysians speak English better, so if that is what you are looking for, then Malaysia is a better option, but if you are going to live in a country, it would be worth learning a few key phrases.

Lifestyle- This depends on where you live; in Bangkok and KL, you are not far away from entertainment, bars and clubs, malls, and restaurants. While places such as Penang and Phuket, Chang Mi. Have more of a laid-back feel for the retiree. Bangkok, as a whole, is more fun if you like the bar scene. But, I do not personally find that KL has more than enough clubs, expats, and local clubs to find and do. So, I don’t see this as an issue.

Cost- Both can be cheap and say it depends on what lifestyle you live. Alcohol is more expensive in Malaysia due to the culture. But, a Western lifestyle in both is more than what you would pay back home for cheese, cereal, etc. But also, in both, you can get local meals that can be obtained for $1.50, with the Malay food having a mixture of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thailand, and Thai. Both are great.

Housing: This depends on where you are, as both places have some cheap housing. Chang Mi and Jahor are significant cities where $1000 can get you a lovely three-bedroom luxury condo. However, if you compare both capitals, KL is cheaper than you get in terms of space. In the Silom area of Bangkok and Asoke, you can pay $1000 for a one-bedroom 33 SQM, while in KL, you can at least get 60 SQM in KLCC.

The Thai baht is strong, making purses more expensive from an outside currency.

Transportation- Both have great regional flights and are cheap. Both capital’s subways and transit systems are modern, clean, and efficient. Taxis in both are affordable. The KL bus system does beat Bangkok (although it is catching up). And both capitals have lousy traffic. Bangkok is the worst.

Doing Business– Both follow some rules that are not straightforward, but Malaysia seems more open and business-friendly and can be set up in Labuan. As I mentioned earlier, Malaysia has better English if needed.

Places to visit- Both are very different but equally as fascinating.

In short, which is better, from a personal point of view, I like them both equally but for different reasons.

Malaysia and Thailand have unique attractions and qualities, making it difficult to say which is “better definitively.” Malaysia is known for its diverse culture, beautiful islands, and vibrant cities like Kuala Lumpur.

Conversely, Thailand is famous for its stunning beaches, rich history, and bustling metropolises like Bangkok. Ultimately, the choice between the two destinations depends on individual preferences, such as preferred activities, budget, and cultural interests.

Thailand is much better if you are looking for a place to retire or escape. Although Malaysia is probably one of the most liberal countries in the Muslim world, it is still Muslim, and therefore, numerous restrictions apply, which include

limitations on the sale of alcohol
higher prices of alcohol
lack of opportunities to date local women
lack of easy-going attitude, which is one of the trademarks of Thailand

In terms of socializing, it is much easier to be among Thais than Malaysians. Malaysians are pushier and more money-oriented. Thais are more down to earth and tend to appreciate the joys of life and relaxation; making a lot of money is not their No. 1 priority.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a place to develop a business or make a career, Malaysia is the right place. English is much more widespread among Malaysians than among Thais. English is indeed the second language in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is better developed technologically, and its educational system is more efficient. When doing business, Malaysians are more accessible to be on the same page.

Thailand people are known for their hospitality and welcoming nature, which is reflected in their culture. The country has a Rich Cultural Heritage and traditions that have been passed down through generations,
Thailand is one hours more later than Malaysia
Clothing (Their local brand clothing) I only know and buy once from Zalora. Their brand is “Marisara Clothings.” They can get into Zalora, which means they’re a well-known brand, maybe; the rest are a standard local brand; my friends mainly clothing businesses and buy from Thailand in vast amounts at ITC Mangga dua Jakarta, you will see (if you ask the shop owner) especially the clothing is from Thailand & half of it China, I think less Malaysian whos like buying cloth in Jakarta knowing this.
Entertaining & Nightlife there are very lively with low price alcohol drink.
Food Affordable Prices everywhere
In Thailand, the infrastructure isn’t as well integrated, and in most towns, there aren’t many public transport options – you may need to use many more tuk-tuks. However, there are so many tourists in Thailand that there’s always a way of getting to where you want to be.
Funny, Smiling, & Laughing people, Thai people are perfect hosts and seem to enjoy having tourists around. They always greet you with that beautiful Thai smile, welcoming you to their country. In bargaining, they show calculators, and we mark down the price by showing the calculation back to us.

Malaysia 🇲🇾

Malaysia is a multiracial country, a melting pot of different cultures. The diverse races of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other indigenous tribes live together peacefully and harmoniously.
Malaysia’s times are one hour ahead of Thailand’s.
Famous Well, well-known brand items & food things at affordable prices (I always heard every my environment, including me who visit both countries, always buy branded stuff in Malaysia, never heard buy from Thailand).
Entertainment & Night weren’t as lively as Thailand for comparison, and their alcoholic drink was higher in price.
Food Affordable Prices everywhere.
Malaysia is more prosperous and better developed than Thailand. The roads are better in infrastructure. Local transportation is affordable, modern & accessible, especially in the Cities.
Friendly & Curious people sometimes, Malaysians aren’t similar to Thais. Finding lovely Malaysians is easy, but generally, they don’t care much about tourists. On the upside, their English is much better than the Thais. We don’t have a problem when buying anything in Malaysia using English.

Safety From Both Countries

Both countries are very safe for tourists. It’s doubtful that you will experience any violent crime in Thailand or Malaysia. However, statistics show that Malaysia is slightly safer than Thailand.

Point Of View Both Countries

Malaysia is family-friendly, with many child-friendly beaches, theme parks, and zoo/animal attractions. Some of the most famous attractions in Malaysia are Langkawi, Penang, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Taman Negara, and the Tioman and Perhentian Islands.

In some ways, Thailand’s landmarks and attractions are similar to Malaysia’s, with famous beaches, rain forests, and a unique culture that evolved with much less influence from the Western world. Although very different, Bangkok has a modern side with malls and parks.

However, Thailand is more prepared for backpackers, solo travelers, and digital nomads than for families. The most famous attractions include Kanchanaburi, Phuket, Phi Phi Island, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Ayutthaya.

Malaysia has more mega malls and high-end shops, while Thailand has many more local markets (particularly night markets), which are more significant than Malaysia.

If you prefer markets to malls, you can give the win to Thailand. But if you like the malls in Malaysia, particularly Kuala Lumpur, you can provide Malaysia with a win.

Thailand and Malaysia are two distinct countries that differ significantly in terms of Culture, Landscape, Food, and Lifestyle. So it depends on their preferences, no matter what environment; if you ask Thailand or Malaysian Citizens, each their answer was “My Country is better” or “Uniquely praise their country each other,” like Malaysian praised Thailand or otherwise.

Which is a better place to live: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, or the Philippines?

Twenty-five years ago, I would transit SEASIA on my way to Europe to perform twice a year as an entertainer and thought about retiring in SEASIA. I was already doing international banking in Singapore but felt the country stifled creativity. Malaysia looked good until a particular ex-prime minister started writing books and turned the people against Western people after retiring. It was pretty noticeable that in the past, I would stay in little towns and villages, even less touristy islands, and then I started getting cold looks from locals with hatred in their eyes.

Suddenly, once-friendly people made me feel like an enemy entering their country.

So that’s when I shifted transit hubs to Bangkok, and Thailand became quite appealing.

I also spent much time in the Philippines, especially the Visayas. But I never felt entirely safe as guns are made in the country, and for as little as US$100, you can have someone rubbed out. That was scary news to me.

I did consider Indonesia, specifically the Batam Islands, as it is a special economic zone allowing foreigners to buy land and build houses for a meager price.

Cambodia lacked good infrastructure, so even though it was cheap, it didn’t appeal.

Then the riots in Bangkok started, and my train coming into BKK got held up by protesters, so I jumped off the train car, got a cab to my accommodation, and got onto the internet to get a flight out of the country.

I took a cheap flight to Phnom Penh, which I had visited several times before.

I then jumped on a bus, and 6 hours later, I ended up in Saigon.

Wow, this city is so much cleaner, and look at all the trees and parks.

I was quickly in love with the place.

I kept staying with the same family.

Five months later, they insisted on celebrating my 60th birthday with a party.

Kim was invited to my party 60th birthday party, and the rest is history.

That quick visit was back in 2009.

It’s now 2020, and I have a Temporary Residents Card, and Kim is my wife.

We do charity work together, delivering free meals to people experiencing homelessness at night.

If you had told me 25 years ago I was going to retire in Vietnam, I would’ve laughed at you.

But I couldn’t be happier.

And on a final note, to show how much I love Vietnam and its people, I never intend to leave, even upon my death, as I have pledged my body to the University of Medicine in HCMC and got special permission from HANOI as I’m the only foreigner carrying this card below.

For those who keep saying I shouldn’t post my ID card, this is not my ID card; it’s simply a donor card. If I am found dead from a motor vehicle accident, the police know to transfer my body to the medical university for training for the autopsy students.

Edit 2nd Feb 2021 I’m very proud to announce my lovely wife was crowned Ms Vietnam Television 2020 last Thursday evening. She won the people’s vote.

Why is Malaysia a less popular travel destination than Thailand?

Travel is, to many, a means of escapism.

Thailand, to most Western tourists, embodies a destination where anything goes.

Wild parties. Cheap drinks. Unconventional entertainments. Drugs galore. Corrupt police. There is a high chance of getting a nice hostel fling.

These stereotypes might not be valid, but they represent the popular image many Westerners conjure in Thailand. Just watch The Hangover Pt. 2.

Many tourists want to unleash their inner hedonists when they’re outside their own home country, away from their family and colleagues.

Thailand is a perfect place for that.

Conversely, Malaysia doesn’t share Thailand’s reputation as a fun place. Its reputation as a Muslim-majority nation partly contributes to this.

While KL has world-class nightlife, it is much more regulated than in Bangkok. Drug raids are regular events. Clubs can only operate in designated areas, away from residential neighborhoods and schools. Drinks are expensive, as the alcohol tax is high. There are no strip clubs. There is no nudity on stage. Prostitution exists, but much more discreetly.

Malaysia’s islands, such as Langkawi, Perhentian, and Tioman, might have some very spectacular beaches, but they don’t have wild beach clubs serving cheap cocktails in buckets. These islands mainly focus on ecotourism, with dedicated parks and pristine rainforests, and there’s not much effort made by the local authorities to turn them into party islands.

Malaysia has some of the world’s largest shopping malls, but Western tourists do not fly 14 hours to go to a mall. Many prefer large, open-street markets, and Bangkok has more than KL. These street markets, with barbecued insects, piping hot noodles, bootlegged items, exotic meats, and makeshift massage parlors, embody the exotic ‘Asian’ appeal, are very Instagrammable, and are very Pinterest-worthy.

In essence, many Western tourists prefer to travel to a place in Asia that feels different, exotic, and chaotic, where they can unleash their inner hedonists before they come home to their first-world comfort and routines.

Malaysia might appear dull to a segment of tourists, but it does have its charms: diverse gastronomy, local arts and culture, modern marvels, quiet beaches, and unspoiled national parks.

And most Malaysians do not mind their country being slightly dull. The segment of tourists that come to Malaysia yearly also doesn’t seem to mind.

I like going to Bangkok and Phuket for weekend getaways, mainly for the shopping and the party scene. However, I still love returning to KL, where people hang out at dry, 24-hour mamak restaurants, drinking the tarik while watching football. I am biased, though.

Why is Malaysia a less popular travel destination than Thailand?

Travel is, to many, a means of escapism.

Thailand, to most Western tourists, embodies a destination where anything goes.

Wild parties. Cheap drinks. Unconventional entertainments. Drugs galore. Corrupt police. There is a high chance of getting a nice hostel fling.

These stereotypes might not be valid, but they represent the popular image many Westerners conjure in Thailand. Just watch The Hangover Pt. 2.

Many tourists want to unleash their inner hedonists when they’re outside their own home country, away from their family and colleagues.

Thailand is a perfect place for that.

Conversely, Malaysia doesn’t share Thailand’s reputation as a fun place. Its reputation as a Muslim-majority nation partly contributes to this.

Malaysia might appear dull to a segment of tourists, but it does have its charms: diverse gastronomy, local arts and culture, modern marvels, quiet beaches, and unspoiled national parks.

And most Malaysians do not mind their country being slightly dull. The segment of tourists that come to Malaysia yearly also doesn’t seem to mind.

Why is Malaysia so much more developed than Thailand?

Zi Jian Yow’s answer to What makes Thailand comparatively slower in economic development than Malaysia?

Malaysia isn’t “so much more developed” than Thailand; it is only significantly more developed.

A country’s economic development depends on its stability, reliability, & openness to business/investment/entrepreneurship; & trim due to natural resources/geography. In this, Malaysia scores better than Thailand in almost all points here.

A colonial power necolonizedised Thailand, thus. Thus, there was no precedent to work on.
1. Thailand was the only Southeast Asian country to have not been colonized (I regard this as a good thing, too); this is a double-edged sword. Thailand had to build its pillars of the state, such as the Rule of Law, political stability (covered in another point), a sound legal system, good infrastructure, and decent civil service, from and away from “Eastern” values & other structures. Feudalism in Thailand exists till today.
2. Meanwhile, Malaysia inherited most of this from the British upon a bloodless independence movement. Past kings of Thailand, such as Mongkut & Chulalongkorn, did an impressive feat in consulting multiple Western powers in different fields to modernize Siam, but never to the point of a profitable extractive former British colony like Malaysia. The British also abolished a great deal of feudalism when they took over.
3. Malaysia was also extremely lucky. It had a bloodless independence movement, the transfer of power was orderly, and the British made sure we had the right institutions & people to run a newly independent country. They did not pack their bags & leave us in a mess like what happened in India & Pakistan. Heck, they even helped fight a Communist insurgency (which was a civil war) & military aggression from Soekarno’s Indonesia as he opposed Malaysia’s formation. This ensured continuity from a colonial economy to an economy of an independent nation. Of course, the British helped us because they wanted to fight off the domino effect of Communism in the Cold War & to preserve their profitable business interests, which were still substantial at that time. Still, in return, we were placed with a system that had been the same since independence.
Malaysia has better political stability than Thailand.
1. Since the start of constitutional monarchy in 1932, Thailand’s incredible political divisions & the military’s unique role in politics have resulted in more than 20 coups d’état, the most recent in 2014. Every time this happens, the Constitution is thrown out, and a new one is drafted. Multiple civilian parties & military factions have struggled for political power. Even when the government reverts to civilian rule, it can be very fragile, as seen in the Takshin, Abhisit, & Yingluck governments. Violence can also descend quickly, as in the 2010 Thai political protests. It will also be protracted, often lasting months.
2. Conversely, Malaysia, with the help of a historically fragmented opposition & rigged elections, has only had one ruling coalition since its independence 61 years ago- the National Front (Barisan Nasional, BN), headed by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). The BN government has withstood multiple events & scandals, such as the Communist insurgency, Indonesia’s Konfrontasi, the expulsion of Singapore, the May 13th racial riots, the 1988 Constitutional crisis, the Reformasi movement, & most recently, the 1MDB scandal, all by iron-fisted moves. But even then, these are minuscule when compared to Thailand. Protests & scandals don’t usually end up in violence, unlike Thailand.
3. (EDIT) The BN government was ousted in May 2018 in Malaysia’s 14th General Election, heralding Malaysia’s first-ever change of government in its history! The transfer of power to the Pakatan Harapan government was entirely peaceful to the relief of Malaysians (many feared that the military & engineered riots might be used to cling to power). It is a testament to Malaysia’s political stability.
4. However, Thailand’s current NCPO junta has ironically provided the much-needed political stability for a sound business environment. Since 2014 (the NCPO came to power), economic growth has beaten expectations & tourist arrivals are at a record-breaking high.
Thailand has fewer natural resources than Malaysia.
1. Malaysia had & currently has many cash-cow commodities. Historically, there was tin, rubber, timber, & gold. Nowadays, it is palm oil, & petroleum. Commodities have very high-profit margins, especially when prices are high. However, they are also susceptible to price swings. Hence, the Malaysian Ringgit is much more volatile than the Thai Baht.
2. While Thailand’s primary sector is significant in agriculture, such as rice & fruits, they do not yield as much profit as commodities. It does, however, make Thailand a self-sufficient country for food.
3. Also, Malaysia’s secondary sectors (like high-value manufacturing) & tertiary sectors (such as banking) are more significant. However, Thailand’s tourism & agricultural industry are much more meaningful.
Malaysia is in a better geographic position than Thailand.
1. The Strait of Malacca flanks Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia), the world’s busiest natural strait, and the South China Sea. Hence, Malaysia (& Singapore) catches most of the port traffic in Southeast Asia. Port Klang, the principal of Greater Kuala Lumpur, and Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor (beside Singapore) are busy ports.
2. While occupying a central position in Indochina & the only land bridge connecting Peninsular Malaysia & Singapore, Thailand is undoubtedly impressive. However, 90% of the world’s freight is by sea, making ground freight less relevant. Even the southern provinces of Thailand export their goods via Penang Port & Port Klang in Malaysia instead of Laem Chabang Port near Bangkok due to proximity & ease of movement.
Widespread use of English in Malaysia.
1. Detractors say that English isn’t essential by using examples of countries like Japan, Germany, South Korea, China, Taiwan, etc. Malaysia’s widespread use of English certainly makes business done by foreigners easier.
2. Also, STEM resources & materials are primarily found in English, thus making teaching STEM subjects much more accessible.
Malaysia has a more prominent overseas Chinese & community.
1. While Thailand has the world’s largest population of overseas Chinese, Malaysia has the highest percentage of overseas Chinese as a minority, at 25%, versus Thailand’s 12%.
2. Their entrepreneurship has spearheaded the economic growth of both countries. Malaysia also has a significant overseas Indian minority, who occupy many professional positions, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, etc.
Malaysia’s urbanization is spread out more evenly.
1. Both capitals, Kuala Lumpur & Bangkok, are primate cities. However, development is spread out more evenly in Malaysia. It is very Bangkok-centric in Thailand.
2. Greater Penang, Malaysia’s largest population, has more than 2 million, whereas Greater Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, only has 1 million. This is considering that Malaysia has half the population of Thailand.
3. There are many more cities (mostly state capitals) with over half a million population, whereas only Korat (Thailand’s third largest city) fulfills the criteria.

It’s a vast country. It’s beautiful, with so much culture and diversity. Malaysia is quite an “easy” country to travel around, but it would be my second choice with areas like Sarawak and Sabah.

Thailand: I first visited this country 26 years ago; for me, it’s a country that offers Bangkok as a cheap transport hub for any long-haul flights.

Which is a better place to live: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, or the Philippines?

Please pick some cities, not some countries. But okay, in terms of country, I’ll choose Malaysia.

Cities in Malaysia have good infrastructure. Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs are served by rail-based rapid transit. Some major cities, such as Georgetown (Penang), Johor Bahru, and Ipoh, have bus systems. The streets are well-paved. Public facilities are well-treated.

Malaysia has taste-appealing cuisine. Street food or hawker centers are everywhere. I fell in love with The Tarik; I may drink it 2–3 times daily!

Malaysians are friendly and share a similar language to mine, Indonesian.

What are your thoughts on Malaysia and Thailand? Which country is more beautiful and why?

We can shake hands and continue as good siblings, whether in economic development, food, or various scenic places. We will be side by side until eternity.

I am talking about Thailand and Malaysia, the two great countries.

What are my thoughts on Malaysia?

I have visited Malaysia many times and feel at home everywhere I go. I blend well with the people and do things without bracing myself, unlike when I visited Singapore, where doing things in the wrong place at the wrong time was costly.

For a start, taking a bus in Malaysia is a breeze, with no high expectations, no complaints, and no hard and fast rules. Unlike buses in Bangkok, I hold tight and am ready to hop on and squeeze in. May the fastest one go on board?

Although there is no sibling rivalry som,e sibling habits die hard…

I learned from my own experience on one occasion in Batu Pahut, state of Johor, when the bus stayed put at the bus stop too long- the reason:

: In Malaysia- The driver is waiting for his mother-in-law, who slowly walks out from Kampung- my friend told me that.

: In Thailand- the driver walks down to get his favorite drink from 7-Eleven nearby during rush hour, and no one blinks an eye.

While Malaysia has a state-of-the-art bus ticketing system, Thailand is a few decades behind, where bus conductors are still commanders-in-chief.

Bangkok: Many buses are still in a dinosaur age, and the entry/exit doors are all behind the driver. Besides, it’s a practice that passengers are allowed to board/ alight at both doors. There is no way to control tick-skinned, non-paying passengers.

Taking a taxi is an adventure in these two sibling countries.

In Johor Bahru, I don’t have to look whether there is a meter in the taxi, but I will ask,” How much?” My skill of bargaining has been trained from Bangkok, “7 Ringgit? Alamak, Encik, that’s too much, only less than a kilometer,” A Malaysian cabby answered without looking: “Brother, why don’t you just walk, then?

Bangkok’s Taxi drivers are world-renowned with unexplained tricks. Besides, most have Muay Thai skills, and some are collectors of a Samurai and a machete.

Politics in Malaysia is hard to beat; the new PM was a convict, and the ex-PM is a convict and still in jail.

That reminds me of Thailand’s two billionaire ex-PM who are still living a carefree life, though on the run from a jail sentence imposed by our current PM and his cabinets.

The country’s PM, the cabinets’ pay, and the national minimum wages are on par.

Unlike Singaporean Deputy PM, whose monthly pay is like eight years’ earnings of Thai and Malaysian DPMs who work doubly hard to satisfy hard-to-please citizens.

Thailand DPM is a vivid collector of luxury watches, with a few dozen watches (borrowed from a dead friend) worth US$1.5 million.

What country is more beautiful?

When you’ve seen one Thai town, you’ve seen them all; unlike Malaysia, you see Portuguese & Dutch towns in Malacca, Singaporean towns in Johor Bahru, and Siamese towns in Perlis.

Langkawi draws Thai tourists, while Phuket attracts Malaysian tourists. Every one in two tourists in Hat Yai is M’sian.

Which city is more developed, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur?

Originally Answered: Which city in Malaysia is more developed, Bangkok or Kuala?

First, we must dissect what the OP means by being ‘more developed.’

If it simply means being ‘bigger’ & ‘more energetic,’ then it is Bangkok. Let me clarify that I love Bangkok a lot as a tourist destination. It has a lot of charisma & eccentricity that even many global cities don’t have.

But if it means more modern, liveable, and cosmopolitan, then definitely Kuala Lumpur. It is only short of Singapore.

First off, Bangkok, with its street vendors, tuk-tuks, markets, BTS Skytrain, & legendary traffic makes it highly energetic. Hence, Bangkok may appear more developed to the casual tourist.

This is far from true.

If so, would Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), with its motorbikes, make it more developed than Bangkok? And would Singapore, which does not see traffic jams for a city its size, be ‘less developed’ due to a quieter streetscape?

Bangkok is also a much bigger and denser metropolis than KL, hence the false impression that it’s more developed.

More importantly, KL is much more suburban & decentralized than Bangkok. Greater KL’s situation is like Metro Manila’s- multiple distinct cities in one big metropolis. The CBD is still the main commercial area, but it is small for KL’s size, & a lot of action happens outside of the CBD, which most tourists frequent- Damansara, Sunway, Subang Jaya, Mont Kiara, Ampang, etc. Locals mostly come to the CBD only for work and leave after office hours, giving the impression that it is ‘mundane.’ Almost half the companies’ main offices are located outside the CBD! Even Google’s office is in KL Sentral (the central train station).

Kuala Lumpur has:

Better zoning laws. Commercial, residential, and industrial land is demarcated clearly. There is no mish-mash, save for a bit of illegal street vendors in shacks. Mixed-zoning is usually confined to older shophouses in Chinatown or ultra-modern high-rise apartments beside LRT/MRT stations, termed transit-oriented developments (TODs).
More greenery & green spaces. The CBD has more accessible parks and green spaces, such as the vast Perdana Botanical Gardens, KLCC Park, and Titiwangsa Park. We even have a rainforest in the middle of the city- Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve! There are also many more huge parks outside the CBD, like Taman Jaya, Kepong Metropolitan Park, Subang Ria Park, Desa Park City, Bukit Jalil Park, Putrajaya, etc. There are also many hiking trails a short drive from the city. In many places, trees line the roads.
Tidier streetscape. There are no multiple electricity wires with zapping sounds above the streets, streets are cleaner, and sidewalks are mostly available, although, unfortunately, they are not uniform. There are no more slums in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area anymore, though there are many homeless people in places like Chinatown. No rowdiness comes with drunk young Western tourists & sexpats, and sex tourism exists but is well hidden,
Better transportation. If you look at Google Maps, many more highways in KL are leading out into the many satellite cities of Greater KL. KL also has a more extensive rail network than Bangkok (although connectivity in the CBD is better in Bangkok), and there are no more diesel trains in our rail network- it is fully electric. From Padang Besar (Thai border) to Gemas (Johor border). KL also has a joint inter and intra-city central station- KL Sentral (Although Bangkok is building one, the Bang Sue Grand Station), with two more intercity stations to be constructed in Bandar, Malaysia, and Gombak. All public buses are also equipped with A/C, most have LED signages, and even free bus services run around the CBD. Taxies are disappointing, but none of us locals take them anymore as ride-hailing app Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) is readily available, legal & safe, offers better service, & is usually cheaper. Oh yes, traffic is terrible, but not as bad as Bangkok. Public transport and driving (fuel & tolls) are also more affordable, although car prices for non-Malaysian cars in KL are much higher.
More opportunities. Many MNCs, such as Honeywell and Voith, have regional KL headquarters. Many oil and gas firms like AkerSolutions have also shifted to KL from Singapore owing to the cheaper cost of running a business here.
It has an iconic skyscraper that instantly reminds people of KL (and Malaysia), just like how the Eiffel Tower would immediately ring Paris & France. Bangkok does not have that; even the newly completed beautiful MahaNakhon Tower is recognizable but not iconic enough. Its historical buildings, such as Wat Arun & the Grand Palace, are mixed successes. In the future, KL will be going through exciting times. This is what KL’s skyline looks like now (as of Dec 2017)

*In the foreground is TRX, the new financial district, and The Exchange 106, which would be 492m (40m taller than the Petronas Towers). Other projects include Matrade, Bandar Malaysia, and Bukit Bintang City Centre. We will also have the tallest building in the Asia Pacific with 700m tall PNB Merdeka 118, on the fringes of Chinatown, designed by renowned Australian architect Fender Katsalidis.

Conclusion

Speaking of Bandar Malaysia, it will house the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) station, which lets you zip from KL to Singapore in only 90 minutes. Land acquisition is happening now, and it will be ready by 2026.

Bandar Malaysia station, Kuala Lumpur, will integrate with three metro lines. There will also be another 137km of metro lines added to the current 469km metro & electric commuter train network. Greater KL transit map 2025 (Credit to Legan from Skyscrapercity). (Don’t get me wrong. I do love Bangkok and its chaos. I love visiting the city as a tourist, but I’d never imagine living there as an expat).

Bangkok’s development isn’t very far behind, and it’ll be no surprise to see Bangkok overtake KL and Singapore, even if only due to sheer volume. With his extensive knowledge of Bangkok, Pas Sean has already shown the upcoming projects it has to offer. However, I hope I’ve demonstrated better insight into the workings and future of KL, as I feel there is a general lack of awareness of the upcoming projects in KL, even amongst KL sites and Malaysians.

Thailand or Malaysia? Which is the best travel destination?