@Brian *******
I do the same, but in Switzerland : I have my Swiss account and I have a Thai account. Transfers from Switzerland cost about 2$. No fee in Thai bank. Exchange rate normal, official inter-bank exchange rate. Ask your US bank and Thai bank how it works. Make sure you can still keep your US bank despite having your permanent address in Thailand. The bank might not accept. Switzerland accepts only under certain conditions (long time client, reliable, etc.).