MM2H Gains Popularity Among Thais For Education, Lifestyle Appeal
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing launching the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign in Bangkok here on Tuesday.
By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock
BANGKOK, July 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme continues to gain traction among Thais, driven by cultural familiarity, proximity, and a competitive cost of living, said Tourism Malaysia's Bangkok office.
Director of Tourism Malaysia in Bangkok, Nurul Ain Mohammed Yunus, noted that an increasing number of individuals and families from the region are looking beyond short-term travel, opting instead for longer-term stays in countries that offer quality of life, stability, and opportunity.
"Thailand has emerged as a promising market for the MM2H segment.
'A key appeal for Thai MM2H applicants is our education sector. Malaysia is fast becoming an education hub in Asia, with globally ranked universities, international schools, and a multilingual learning environment," she told Bernama after a business matching session held in Bangkok on Monday.
Nurul Ain added that thousands of international students, including those from Thailand, are choosing Malaysia for its proximity, affordability, and academic quality.
She said that Malaysia offers all these and more - a safe, affordable, and multicultural living environment with access to world-class healthcare, modern infrastructure, and a strong sense of community.
On Monday, Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing made a working visit to Bangkok to enhance bilateral tourism cooperation and lay the foundation for stronger ties ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Tiong paid a courtesy call to his Thai counterpart, the Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong, before meeting with tourism industry players in Thailand.
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