Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Indonesia?

Among these five South East Asian countries which one is the best to live or retire?
I have been to these five countries and I will rank The Philippines low unless I find something that makes them stand out one day.
If I put safety as my first priority I will then pick Vietnam but personally I am not very much attracted to this country.
I have a good impression to the landscape, food and lifestyle in Thailand but I think it's the most dangerous country because it looks like guns are readily available and crime rate isn't low.
How about Malaysia? Malaysia was the first country I ever visited among the other countries, but it was a long time ago, when I was a teen, so I don't remember everything very clearly.

What do you think? Any advice or opinion?

 

Too bad that your question was never answered. We live in Thailand for 7 years and it's absolutely the safest place we ever lived. And the places we lived before were quite safe as well. We know there are many weapons, but there are hardly any robberies or thefts, that is, in the rural northern area where we live. We never lock house, car or bicycle, walk around at night without fear of being followed, experienced the people as extremely friendly and helpful.

 

Malaysia is an Islamist country, despite being a federal constitutional monarchy. If you don't have a problem living under an Islamic state, more power to ya! Yes, it would be safest because Islamic law is very harsh.

They sentenced a more liberal politician who challenged their conservative leader to 5 years in jail accusing him of having been in a gay relationship. The accused man, Anwar Ibraham is now the Prime Minister of Malaysia, so maybe there's hope!

Of all the countries you mentioned I would take Thailand, as the food is by far the best, imo. But outlawing cannabis again wasn't nice.