I ended up hiring an agent It cost $10,000 baht and everything was done within 30 minutes. applying from inside the country of Thailand worked better for me, I did not check Malaysia. Good luck!
Yes when you're out of the country a whole different set of rules apply that are implemented through the Thai consulate of that country. also you have the additional requirement of health insurance when you apply from out of the country. now if Malaysia is not your home country how you verify funds in banks that are not thai, I am not quite sure.
I am in the last step in the process for my retirement visa. I submitted and had accepted a six month agreement for my hotel room. The landlord has to be cooperative as they require landlord's id, etc. Each immigration office can set their own rules, so go to the office and get the list of requirements.