Anutin hails 191-country IMF–World Bank meetings, targets ‘exponential’ Thai growth
Anutin says business matching and cooperation agreements at the Bangkok meetings can strengthen Thailand’s credibility and create new growth.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hailed Thailand's successful hosting of the IMF-World Bank meetings, attended by 191 countries, as a major boost to international confidence.
- Anutin stated the event demonstrated Thailand's readiness and economic stability, which the government aims to leverage to drive faster economic growth and create jobs.
- The meetings facilitated business matching, cooperation agreements, and strengthened Thailand's bid for OECD membership, all seen as critical steps toward achieving "exponential" growth.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in Bangkok on October 16, 2026, that Thailand’s hosting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual Meetings had strengthened international confidence and could help drive faster economic growth. The gathering had brought together representatives from 191 countries, Anutin said.
Speaking at 5.15pm at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Anutin described the meetings as an opportunity to demonstrate Thailand’s logistics readiness, infrastructure and economic stability amid geopolitical challenges.
Anutin said the proceedings had run smoothly, with no complaints or significant shortcomings, and that participating countries had expressed satisfaction and confidence in Thailand’s capabilities.
For the Thai government, Anutin said, the next task was to turn those strengths into opportunities, income, improved wellbeing and jobs for people throughout the country.
OECD confidence seen strengthening Thailand’s standing
Anutin said Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), had publicly expressed confidence that Thailand would secure membership. The prime minister described that confidence as an important “springboard” for Thailand’s international standing and a morale boost for everyone involved in the effort.
Anutin said his discussions to build economic partnerships had also included senior figures from several countries, including deputy prime ministers, foreign ministers and the US Federal Reserve chair.
Anutin recalls hosting concerns under minority government
Anutin recalled that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas had raised the challenge of hosting the meetings on his first day in office in Anutin’s first cabinet. Ekniti had described the task as his greatest challenge, with concerns heightened by the government’s minority status at the time.
“The outcome ultimately proved that, when it is a matter of national interest, we receive cooperation from all sides, including career civil servants, the private sector, the officials involved and the public, enabling the event to run smoothly,” Anutin said.
Anutin points to business matching and cooperation agreements
Asked whether hosting the meetings had covered its costs or represented value for money, Anutin argued that its benefits should not be measured simply through a profit-and-loss calculation. Hosting was a necessary undertaking with broader value, the prime minister said.
Anutin pointed to business matching and the preparation of memorandums of understanding on cooperation during the meetings in Thailand as ways to strengthen the country’s economic credibility and establish a new foundation for growth.
Asked whether the outcome amounted to “Thailand Plus”, Anutin used the word “exponential” to describe his ambition for a leap in Thailand’s economic growth.
