Thailand targets quality investment through IMF-World Bank meetings

Thailand plans to use its hosting of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group to strengthen its role as a “global connector” and attract high-quality investment as the world economy becomes increasingly divided, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said.

Ekniti said at an event marking the 39th anniversary of Krungthep Turakij that Thailand was ready to host the meetings from October 12–18, with more than 15,000 participants from 191 countries registered to attend.

Thailand’s hosting of the meetings comes 35 years after it last staged the event in 1991.

Thailand seeks role as ‘global connector’

Ekniti said Thailand would highlight its advantages as a safe and stable location able to trade and cooperate with different sides of an increasingly fragmented global economy.

He said hosting the meetings would provide short-term benefits through tourism, employment and business activity, while the greater opportunity lay in attracting longer-term investment and encouraging companies to relocate or expand operations in Thailand.

“I believe hosting the meetings will be an important platform to demonstrate Thailand’s potential in tourism, job creation and opportunities for Thai businesses,” he said.

“But even more important are the long-term benefits from the large amount of investment that could gradually move into the country as a result of the opportunities created.”

The government’s challenge, he added, was not simply to allow investment flows to pass through Thailand, but to develop proactive economic policies that could attract and retain investment sustainably.

Such policies should encourage technology transfer and stronger links with domestic supply chains so that economic gains reach Thai businesses and the wider population.

Two priorities for Thailand on the global stage

Ekniti said Thailand would present two broad priorities as host.

The first is to position the country as a connector in the global economy, helping bring different parties back under common rules amid international tensions and conflict, while supporting international trade and investment.

The second is to strengthen economic capacity and crisis resilience, with particular emphasis on human-capital development and preparing for future shocks, including natural disasters.

In the short term, the government expects the meetings to generate spending on travel, accommodation and tourism during October 12–18, with potential benefits continuing through repeat visits.

Over the longer term, Thailand hopes the event will help attract higher-quality investment, create jobs, generate business opportunities and encourage companies to relocate investment to the country.

The meetings will also provide a platform for Thai entrepreneurs and locally made products from different regions to reach participants from around the world.

Thai culture to feature throughout meetings

Winit Wisetsuwanphum, Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) and Finance Ministry spokesman, said Thailand wanted the event to leave a strong impression on international visitors.

Thai culture and soft power will be incorporated into the event, including locally woven fabrics from 28 communities, comprising 39 textile patterns and two specially designed patterns linked to the royal initiatives of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.

The fabrics will be used to decorate more than 5,000 square metres of meeting space.

Organisers will also showcase Thai cuisine, while an official reception hosted by the prime minister is planned at Government House on the evening of October 16.

“When the world’s spotlight is on Thailand, this meeting becomes particularly important,” Winit said.

“The key question is how to make the strongest possible impression so visitors want to return, whether as tourists, investors or business partners.”

Special airport lanes and crisis plans prepared

Thailand is also preparing special arrangements for arriving delegates at Suvarnabhumi Airport, including dedicated immigration and reception channels.

More than 400 officials from the Finance Ministry, Bank of Thailand and other agencies will serve as liaison staff, supported by more than 200 student volunteers selected to assist during the meetings.

Security and emergency-response exercises have also been conducted with security agencies, the Royal Thai Police and the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

The preparations cover emergencies, security threats and natural disasters, including flooding.

Government officials have separately said contingency plans have been tested for scenarios including floods, power outages and earthquakes as part of preparations for the meetings.