Can bank account opening abroad be done in a matter of days via online/mail? Better fly to Singapore? Which bank gives you got service at reasonable cost

Recommendations? Malaysia an alternative?

Most reputable banks require you to attend in person to open the account, prove your identity etc.

Most reputable banks require you to attend in person to open the account, prove your identity etc.

That probably depends on the country. In most of Europe many banks will accept postal applications with copies of ID/address documents that have been certified by an official of some type.

That said, it is always simpler/quicker to go in person with your original documents for them to verify themselves.

HSBC is actually linked here on ThaiVisa. On line registration

http://www.expat.hsbc.com/1/2/hsbc-expat/why-hsbc-expat?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=HBIB_2009_06_AF-1489051