Short answer: Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) grants 5–20 years’ residence through a fixed deposit and home purchase and can include parents; Thailand offers the LTR visa and Thailand Privilege membership from THB 900,000, with simpler formalities. Neither is permanent residence.
The two compared
| Malaysia MM2H | Thailand long-term residence | |
|---|---|---|
| Threshold | Deposit from USD 150,000 plus a home from RM600,000 | Thailand Privilege from THB 900,000; LTR by category |
| Term | Silver 5, Gold 15, Platinum 20 years | 5–20 years (Privilege); LTR 10 years |
| Parents | Parents of applicant or spouse | Depends on the route |
| Stay requirement | Ages 25–49: 90 days a year; 50+: none | Depends on the route |
| Work | Platinum allows work and business | Privilege includes no work rights |
| Status | Renewable long-term Social Visit Pass | Long-term residence |
Malaysia suits
- Three generations living in Southeast Asia
- Families willing to buy a home there
- Retirees aged 50+ who don’t want a days requirement
Thailand suits
- Simple formalities without proving income or buying property (Privilege)
- Meeting income or investment conditions for ten years’ residence (LTR)
- Retirees (the LTR has a retiree category)
Points to note
Neither leads directly to PR or citizenship. In Malaysia you must also meet each state’s minimum home price for foreigners, which is higher in states such as Kuala Lumpur.