Thailand: The fast lane in the Supermarket is limited to 10 items but you can bring a trolley full of 70 items and the cashier will still let you through, without a frown.
Malaysia: 10 items means, maximum 12 items. Not 7o items.
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Thailand: Drivers on the road are polite, tolerant and giving.
Malaysia: You are fortunate if you get through the day without someone horning you.
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Thailand: I was making a U-turn together with a huge truck. In the middle of the U-turn, he stops, blocking the traffic on a 3 lane highway, to allow me through. I was shocked are his thoughtfulness. Such a gentleman.
Malaysia: I am fortunate to be alive today. Thanks to God's protection.
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The below is contributed by Hooiluan, a reader to my blog:
Thailand: If you can't read/speak Thai (which has its own squiggly script), you are a mute and an illiterate in Thailand, since signs are normally posted in Thai only.
Malaysia: If you can't speak Malay (Roman alphabet) you can always try your luck with English/Tamil/Chinese and chances are you will be fine.
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Thailand: Chocolates are much cheaper in Thai supermarkets than in Malaysian supermarkets.
Chocolates are much more expensive in Thai airports than in Thai supermarkets.
Malaysia: Chocolates are slightly more expensive in Malaysian airports than in Malaysian supermarkets.
To read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3
This is contributed by my fellow Bangkokian, The Laus who incidentally was our inspiration to travel in Thailand.
- Thailand - "kuey tiao" means noodles in general
- Malaysia - "kuey tiao" means the flat white noodles
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- Thailand - This hotel is expensive => over USD$300/room/night
- Malaysia - This hotel is expensive => USD$100/room/night
(The prices of hotel in Thailand is generally more expensive in Thailand,
comparatively than Malaysia)
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Meanwhile.... it is possible to comment:- Thailand - This resort is of excellent value => USD$8 per room per night
- Malaysia - USD$8 gives you a room above "kopitiam" (A coffee shop in Chinese dialect i.e. Hokkien)
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- Thailand - The supply of new design of goods in shops seems endless and extremely creative.
- Malaysia - The supply of goods are mostly, "made in China", "made in Thailand", "made in Vietnam"....
To read Thailand vs Malaysia - Part 1, Part 2- Thailand: Things in Supermarket e.g. Tesco is often more expensive than those sold by small shops and stalls.
- Malaysia: Things in hypermarkets like Carrefour, Giant, Tesco is often cheaper than the small grocery shops in residential areas.
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- Thailand: Toilets are clean wherever you go in Thailand. Whether its petrol stations, restaurants, coffee shops, highway stops or hilltribes area.
- Malaysia: You rarely find a clean toilet unless its your own home or a 3-5 star hotel.
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- Thailand: Price of mineral water - 500 ml is the same everywhere with a difference of B5 (RM0.50) more or less when sold in 7 Eleven or stalls. Its the same even when you go to touristic places like Dreamworld, Grand Palace, etc. The price is generally B10 (RM1) per bottle.
- Malaysia: Price of mineral water is reasonable at most places but becomes unbearably expensive when you go to touristic places like Sunway Lagoon, Genting Highlands, etc.
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- Thailand: You get to eat pork at every restaurant and shop, including McDonalds.
- Malaysia: You get to eat pork only at Chinese restaurants.
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- Thailand: You see dogs everywhere e.g. restaurants, hotels, shopping complexes. You see them as personal pets and strays on the roadside.
- Malaysia: Dogs are not allowed in public places. Only in homes.
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- Thailand: Its common to be approached by a beautiful looking lady and later discover the person is not a 'she' but a 'he'.
- Malaysian: Never had a personal encounter in all my life.
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- Thailand: When you need to repair and service your car, you have to go back to the Service Centre of your car e.g. Toyota, Mazda, Honda. Local mechanic shops are not readily available even if they are, its more expensive.
- Malaysia: Cheaper to repair cars at the local mechanic shops and its readily available.
To read Thailand vs Malaysia - Part 1
My husband contributed to the below list:
- Thailand : it’s ok NOT to wear helmet when riding motorcycles
- Malaysia : must wear
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- Thailand : you can put 20 people behind a pickup truck.
- Malaysia : illegal to put people
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- Thailand : 1st class operations/service for exhibitions. International standards.
- Malaysia : MAS (mana ada system)
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- Thailand : English spoken & understood by 2% of population.
- Malaysia : even the neneks (Grandmother in Bahasa Malaysia) can talk 'sikit' (a little in Bahasa Malaysia) English.
To read Part 2 & Part 3
This is the beginning of a list of things which I noticed is different between Malaysia and Thailand. Its not necessary good or bad, just different. I will collate this list as I go along, so it will be in many different parts.
- Thailand: You don't have to pay toll during public holidays when the traffic is heavy. The government close all the toll plaza, because they know the traffic flow is heavy. This really helps to clear the congestion and makes travelling enjoyable.
- Malaysia: Toll booth are operational 24/7 - 365 days. All booth will be opened during public holidays. This often creates traffic congestion which will last for hours.
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- Thailand: If you don't pay your water bill for 3 months, they take your water meter.
- Malaysia: If you don't pay your water bill for years, you will still have running water.
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- Thailand: You can pay most bills e.g. water, electricity, telephone, credit cards, etc. at the 7 Eleven shop. You will find 7 Eleven shops at almost every other street all over Thailand.
- Malaysia: You can utilities at Post office. All others have to be paid to the individual companies.
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- Thailand: Government servants smiles at their customers.
- Malaysia: Government servants don't smile at you unless you are a friend.
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- Thailand: Bank gives excellent services to customers with extremely warm and cordial behaviours.
- Malaysia: Bank thinks you owe them money!
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- Thailand: Cost of taxi is much cheaper. They use meters 99% of the time. For the same distance in Malaysia you pay double.
- Malaysia: Taxi overcharges most of the time and is extremely expensive.
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- Thailand: Local pays B40 and foreigners pay B200 to enter National Parks.
- Malaysia: Locals and foreigners pays the same amount for most entrance fees.
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- Thailand: Entrance to Grand Palace is free for locals and B350 for foreigners.
- Malaysia: No entrance. Just view from outside.
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- Thailand: You can eat a meal with B15 (RM1.50)
- Malaysia: You can eat a meal with B35 (RM3.50) onwards.
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- Thailand: Speeding summon cost B200 and paid immediately to the police officer.
- Malaysia: Speeding summons cost B3,000 (RM300) and have to be paid only at the Police Station.
Note: If you want to contribute to my list, send me a comment.
