What are the best flight options and requirements for returning to Thailand with a SETV after visiting Shanghai?

Oct 11, 2017
7 years ago
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Next month I need to make a quick trip to Shanghai to open a Chinese bank account.

The good news is that I can fly there without a visa on a UK passport, and transit there for up to 6 days in the City.

I then want to return to Chiang Mai on another 60 day SETV but I cannot go directly back to Thailand as that would mean my visit to China wasn't a transit and also I don't believe China issues Thailand SETV to non nationals anyway.

What would be the best flight/Thailand SETV visa options from Shanghai to another country and then back to Chinag Mai? HK, Malaysia are options as both would allow visa free entry on UK passport.

Also, would I need to show in my SETV application proof of onward travel out of Thailand or just proof of funds and accommodation? Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user plans to travel to Shanghai for a bank account setup on a UK passport, which allows for visa-free transit for up to 144 hours. They seek advice on efficient travel options from Shanghai back to Chiang Mai, specifically concerning the need to first transit through another country like Hong Kong or Malaysia to meet visa requirements. Additional considerations include necessary documentation for the SETV application regarding proof of funds and accommodation.
Johnsuma ******
but you do not need a work permit to open account with ICBC, just need passport & driving license (yes strange but its reel)
Johnsuma ******
yes an ICBC bank Bahts account, you can deposit both yuan or baht, you get an atm card too that work in TH & CH.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it an ICBC Baht account or the equivalent of an RMB mainland China account?
Johnsuma ******
I have one for years, and it was only PP & DL!

now i am married with my Thai wife since 35 years with mariage/retire visa.

that is maybe the reason, not sure.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's not what the English speaking cashier told me today Parmentier at ICBC
Johnsuma ******
ah sorry i did not read the previous pos
Johnsuma ******
you can open a chinese account in TH with china banks, its perfectly valid in china.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
@Millicent **********
. I went to both the Bank of China and the ICBC bank this morning to try and open one. To do so, I would need a Thai work permit which I don't have as I'm just on a TV.
Millicent ***********
bum. I was thinking about opening one but am on an metv. btw I have got setv s in kunming, china. need to have a ticket out of Thailand...
Millicent ***********
did you know you can open a chinese bank account here in Chiangmai? the bank is near promenada....I think. was at an OTOP fair last year and a Chinese bank stall was there letting folk know about it. can maybe find out more for you if you are interested.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I can actually transit for up to 144 hours in Shanghai Charlie. That's what I mentioned in my post.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Vietnam would be another option as I have friends in HCMC.
Charlie *********
sorry mate I'm confused as to the issue. I enjoyed HCMC and Vietnam is now visa free for us.
Charlie *********
You can enter China without a visa for three days, is your trip longer than that?
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Andrew *******
It depends on the entry port - most areas are 72 hrs, but Shanghai/Jiangsu etc. is 144 hrs.
Nèwēy *******
What about Hong Kong?
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hong Kong is an option Jason. However I have been before and I found it to be rather expensive and a bit of a hassle to get around.
Andrew *******
Just a thought - it might be worth getting a Chinese visa from the CM consulate despite the option of the 144-hour visa-free transit. I'm just not sure how easy it would be to open the Chinese bank account without a visa. I have no idea either way actually, but I wouldn't be surprised if trying to do that ends up being a massively frustrating experience for some vague reason or another. The CM consulate is pretty friendly and the single-entry visa pretty cheap, so might be worth doing to avoid the risk of a wasted trip or a lot of visiting banks.

Having the visa beforehand would also avoid the need to fly to a third country after China, giving you the option to be more flexible with that part, re-enter Thailand with an exemption, and handle the Thailand visa stuff in a separate trip
*****
days later.

I seem to remember you had another post about Chinese bank stuff a month or two back where I commented in more detail, but when you go to the bank you should probably have a Chinese phone number already and take the Registration Form of Temporary Residence (or the print-out of your registration from a hotel, depending on where you're staying). It might (=will) be a hassle to set up the account in English, but I'd recommend doing whatever Chinese bank stuff you need to do (online banking, linking with WeChat/Alipay, maybe routing any confirmation stuff to your Thai phone number if possible) and checking that it works while you're there, since it'll be difficult/impossible to do outside China. I'd probably be tempted to open two or three accounts personally, just in case of any problems later. I'm with ICBC and the online banking is acceptable (in Internet Explorer, haha), but that's just because my previous employer used that bank and it's not a particular recommendation. :)
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Andrew, you make a good point about the Visa in China. I hadn't thought of that so thanks for the suggestion. Also opening accounts 2ith more than one bank sounds like a good idea.
Steve *******
Vientiane, Laos is an option. No proofs required for an SETV there. Although you would need a Laos visa, 1500bt, slightly cheaper in USD.
Dan ********
Vietnam offer 15 days visa free.
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