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Is it a good idea to travel to Malaysia for a visa run from Thailand?
Visa RunThailand to MalaysiaVisa TypesExpat TravelCost of LivingMalaysian FoodPenangKuala LumpurTravel Suggestions
Jun 25, 2024
2 years ago
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTERMy 60 days runs out at the end of this month. More expensive I know but I have decided to fly to KL from Khon Kaen. For a few reasons. Lao requires a visa even for only a week. Malaysia are more welcoming with 90 free days. And also I'm looking forward to some Malay and Indian food. Going by what I have read in this group everyone has overlooked Malaysia.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the author's plan to complete a visa run from Thailand to Malaysia, emphasizing the advantages of Malaysian immigration policies, particularly the 90-day visa-free entry. Numerous commenters share their positive experiences in Malaysia, highlighting its culinary diversity and travel opportunities, particularly in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang. While some mention potential downsides like travel costs and location preferences, the consensus remains that Malaysia is often underrated and offers good food and accommodation options. Recommendations for places to stay, food experiences, and travel tips are shared throughout the discussion.
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Jimmy *********
Found Penang very touristy. Chulia Street used to be good ,but now is just boring.
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jimmy ********
I stayed at the ty ann hotel on chulia Street and the Swiss garden. I'd be surprised if still standing. We are staying on petaling Street at the moment. 7 days may have been too long. If we ever come again we will try a different area.Jimmy *********
@Philip *********
2 nights was plenty for me.Reply to
Jimmy *********
Reply
Rene ********
And there's a reason for that
Robert ********
I spent about 5 days in K L ( China town ) earlier this year & loved it & I hope to visit again before Xmas - yes I agree with you - it’s a much under rated city
Terary **********
KL is nice enough. I guess I have visited enough major cities that they all pretty much seem the same to me. I just bought a one-way ticket to KL for visa purposes, doubt I will use it though.
Ruth *******
I’ve recommended KL many times. It’s a cheap flight from BKK. Meanwhile, Penang is famous for its food. I haven’t gone THERE yet.
Colin *********************
Nothing wrong with going to Malaysia. Interesting country and great food
Jacob ********
Malaysia in many ways I prefer to Thailand. Also I noticed they tend to have higher quality foreigners. And certain countries are banned from entering. I can,t help but wonder if that thins out the riff raff.
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes it was South Africa and Israel when I was there. Now I think only Israel. Perhaps as I said in my post, its been overlooked as a place to have a good time. I know Malaysia is a strict Muslim country, but only for Malays.
Chong *********
@Philip *********
Malaysia follows British Law, it’s commonwealth. So it’s a fairer system than Thailand.Jacob ********
@Philip *********
Been there many times and was always enjoyable. Far fewer scams, much cleaner than Thailand, very few if any loose dogs, and far fewer foreign trouble makers.Jeff ********
@Jacob *******
AND you can legally buy property there.Reply to
Jeff ********
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Les ***********
I agree with you about the food. In Malaysia.
Phil ******
@Philip *********
its great but always remember if your travelling back is "will I be allowed into Thailand"Kevin *********
Penang, "The Pearl of the Orient."
Kevin *********
Penang is better.
Frank *******
Just go to Singapore
Andrew *******
@Frank ******
boring 🥴Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frank ******
expensive is it not. I wonder how feasible it is to stay in Johor Bahru and take the bus across for the day.Reply to
Philip **********
Reply
Mark *************************
Unpopular opinion, Malaysian food is better than Thai food, definitely way more diverse too. Malaysia has its own Guinness factory, so stout over there is cheaper. For duty free alcohol prices, which means dirt cheap, visit Langkawi. For food paradise, Penang is where its at.
Michael ********
@Mark ************************
my wife doesnt like Malay food much another unpopular opinion she says indonesian is better than malay (she has worked in both countries)Mark *************************
@Michael *******
no probs with that, its a matter of taste. Whats Malay food though?😀Michael ********
@Mark ************************
I work in Singapore and it depends who you speak to what is malay food. Read the great Laksa debateMark *************************
@Michael *******
Malay food comes from the malays. Chinese food comes from the chinese. Indian food comes from the indians. Malaysian food is one big fusion. There is no laksa debate, every state has their own version from Johor to Penang to Sarawak and Singaporean laksa sucks period.Michael ********
@Mark ************************
Thats not what Singaporeans would sayMark *************************
@Michael *******
nah, ask them. I have mamy singaporeans telling me that.Reply to
Mark *************************
Reply
Daniel **********
@Mark ************************
where would you recommend to stay in penang?Mark *************************
@Daniel *********
George Town, Gurney Drive, Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bunga!Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark ************************
we made our way to batu ferringhi Beach and pretended we were guests and used their pool. At that time I could not comprehend why a pool next to a beach. That is until I took a closer look. An oil slick.Mark *************************
@Philip *********
It is not uncommon to have pools by the beach, you can see them in Penang, Langkawi, Tioman, Redang, Pangkor. I know of quite a few people that do not like to dip themselves in sea water, despite how clean it can be. Weird but true.Andrew *******
@Mark ************************
jellyfish in the water at certain time of the year ...and they sting !!Mark *************************
@Andrew ******
never been stung by a jellyfish all my life, so I wouldn't know 😂Andrew *******
@Mark ************************
my experience was a little bit like a brief electric shock...minimal pain but site can become quite itchy for about *****
hours ..Mark *************************
@Andrew ******
your comment might lead a few old farts here to actually buy a jellyfish 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Reply to
Mark *************************
Reply
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daniel *********
I stayed on luboh chulia street 40 years ago. Going by google map it hasn't changed much .Reply to
Philip **********
Reply
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark ************************
unpopular for Thais. They typically don't like indian food. My missus is no different. Some Malay dishes I know about like roti telur is really Indian isn't it. I use to enjoy a masala dosa every morning for breakfast in Penang.Mark *************************
@Philip *********
Im lucky to get a thai wife that loves malaysian durians but hates thai durians. She mostly prefers the malaysian version of a certain kind of food like chicken rice, pork noodles, moo daeng, even Char Kuey Tiaw. Heck even all kinds of roti, just without the curry. Really depends on who we are asking. Since my wife is from Lanna, she is used to very thin watery curry, so she dislikes the indian and malay versions which are thick and heavily spiced. She even dislikes southern thai curry, which is quite similar to malaysian curry.Reply to
Mark *************************
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Dirk **************
KL is fine but try Penang. Delicious food and wonderful island.
Seb ***********
Love Malay food and like KL for a night of good Chinese food and beers. Highlands is a nice place to take it chill and enjoy the nature
Jack ****************
We spent a week in Borneo and it was fucking awful. Food was 100% bad. People were not friendly. Water was clear, but full of trash, absolute waste of time and energy.
Si *******
@Jack ***************
No need to swear,Jack ****************
@Si ******
no need to put chilli in your noodle soup either.Reply to
Jack ****************
Reply
Michael ********
@Jack ***************
Borneo is great, been few times was supposed to go next month for rainforest festival but stuck in AfricaKel ********
@Jack ***************
I’ve sailed into Kudat, Miri, Labuan, and Kota Kinabalu, loved them all!Jack ****************
@Kel *******
sounds like maybe you slept on your boat instead of a "microtel" that was the only place in KK that didn't smell like urine.Reply to
Jack ****************
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Peter ***************
@Jack ***************
where in Borneo? Kuching and Miri were great! Spent a month thereReply to
Peter ***************
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Chong *********
I’m a Malaysian based in BKK. I miss Malaysian food.
There is so much to try.
There is so much to try.
Chong *********
South Indian
Chong *********
Exactly, Thai food can be quite sweet, Malaysian food is normally savory.
Chong *********
There are a lot of good Banana Leaf restaurants in Malaysia.
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chong ********
it's just that roti here are served up as a sweet. My go-to in Thailand is a larp or narmtock pork but not always easy to find in food markets. But we mainly cook at home. A lentil dal would be nice. Never seen lentils in the shops. Bet I won't have any trouble finding them in kl.Reply to
Philip **********
Reply
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chong ********
it has me intrigued why. For example roti in Thailand is a banana with sweet milk which I would never buy. Just across the border it's served with a curry.Reply to
Philip **********
Reply
Michael ********
Great even for few hours turnaround and KL airport good curry restaurant downstairs and supermarket with cheaper british food stuffs.
Also great places to explore climbing kinabalu was a good experience (4000 meters) penang is great, mallaca bit boring for me. Taman Nagara is amazing
Also great places to explore climbing kinabalu was a good experience (4000 meters) penang is great, mallaca bit boring for me. Taman Nagara is amazing
Kathy ********
@Michael *******
any places to stay not to expensive .Michael ********
@Kathy *******
Where ? all cities have cheap places.Kathy ********
@Michael *******
thanksReply to
Kathy ********
Reply
Ron ********
Take plenty of money for beer if you are a beer drinker. Think Thai beer is expensive? Wait till you see the prices down there.
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ron *******
no probably no beer. Not impressed with the Thai beers I have had. Nothing beats my hoppy home brew dark ale.James ***********
@Philip *********
beer LaoRon ********
@Philip *********
Right, I can enjoy a lotta kinds of beers, as long as its good and cold. I do like Chang in bottles though.Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ron *******
Beer cold and wet with ice for good measureRon ********
@Philip *********
Yes Sir! As fast as I drink it the ice does not water it down too much! Ha Ha!Reply to
Ron ********
Reply
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTERIronically though I do enjoy a Coopers Ale!! Posted to the wrong reply.
Reply to
Philip **********
Reply
Mitchell *******
There are suggestions to bounce to Malaysia fairly often here. The FB search isn't the best, but the Malaysia bpunce advice is still the same
Alison *****************
Fly to Penang is great for this
Reply to
Alison *****************
Reply
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