Assembly of the Poor marches towards Bangkok IMF–World Bank venue with six demands on October 16
Protesters call for debt cancellation, progressive taxes and accountable central banks as police guard the IMF–World Bank meetings venue in Bangkok.
- On October 16, the Assembly of the Poor, a group of about 500 people, marched in Bangkok towards the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the venue for the IMF–World Bank annual meetings.
- The protest's objective was to present six demands to the international financial institutions regarding debt, economic policy, and public oversight.
- Key demands included the cancellation of debts for low- and middle-income countries, an end to corporate subsidies, and increased government revenue through progressive taxation.
- The march was met with tight police security, and the area was designated off-limits to demonstrations, making it unlikely protesters could deliver their demands directly.
The Assembly of the Poor marched towards Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on October 16, 2026, intending to present six demands to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, including debt cancellation and greater public oversight of economic policy. The march took place as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attended the formal opening of the institutions’ 2026 Annual Meetings, with police maintaining tight security around the venue.
About 500 people gathered at Gate 1 of Lumphini Park in Pathum Wan district for discussions and a rally led by Assembly of the Poor leader Baramee Chaiyarat. Participants included workers, the urban poor and other members of the public.
The gathering marked the International Day of Action for Food Sovereignty and against Transnational Corporations. Organisers called for an end to debt traps and the reclamation of financial and food sovereignty.
Marchers organise by scarf colour
Organisers divided participants into groups wearing green, orange, red and black scarves before setting off. Their route followed Sukhumvit Road before turning right at Asok intersection towards the convention centre.
Participants formed columns four abreast. The groups listed included Pak Mun, Hua Na, Kaeng Suea Ten, Rasi Salai–Liang Pha, coconut growers and a group called Kor Lor Por.
Other participating groups included Thung Yao, Tha Khoei, Phu Pha Lek, Tha Dan Dam, Khok Nong Lek, Sirindhorn Dam, a farmers’ debt network, Rasi Salai–Tha Pradit and Nakhon Sawan.
Six demands on debt and economic policy
The protesters’ six demands to the IMF and World Bank were to:
1. Cancel the debts of low- and middle-income countries facing debt crises.
2. Allow public scrutiny of foreign debt incurred by governments.
3. End subsidies for large corporations and redirect the funding towards agroecological farming systems.
4. Increase government revenue through progressive corporate and wealth taxation.
5. Reform central banks to make them democratic, transparent and accountable to the public.
6. Put people and the planet at the centre of economic policymaking.
Separate protest group remains overnight
About 300 protesters from the People’s Network Against the World Bank and IMF, together with the Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Committee on Development, had been camped on Ratchadaphisek Road at Rama IV intersection since October 15.
Leaders identified in the report included Chamnong Nupan of the People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move), Sohabudin Lohyapha and Nakita Koetnak. Most participants at the overnight protest were resting or attending to personal needs during the morning.
Police guard access to the meetings venue
Crowd-control officers and other police guarded all access routes to the convention centre as Anutin attended the opening ceremony.
The convention centre and surrounding area had been designated off-limits to demonstrations under the Public Assembly Act. The report assessed that the restrictions and security arrangements made it highly unlikely that protesters could hand their demands directly to the prime minister.
