BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 10. Thailand is preparing to host the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok from October 12 to 18, with more than 15,000 participants from 191 countries expected to attend.
The meetings will bring together central bank governors, economic policymakers, business leaders and other delegates to discuss the global economy and key economic challenges.
Authorities are introducing traffic management measures ahead of the event. Government offices in Bangkok will work remotely on October 12, 14 and 15, while October 13 is an existing public holiday. October 16 has also been designated a special holiday for government offices and banks, with private companies and state enterprises encouraged to consider appropriate arrangements.
Security has been strengthened at the central Bangkok meeting venue and 21 official hotels, according to Thai authorities.
Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Phongsiam Meekhanthong said around 500 tourist police officers would help secure the venue, hotels hosting delegates and tourist attractions. Measures include undercover deployments, patrols, drone operations and motorcade escorts, coordinated with approximately 39 embassies.
The Thai Foreign Ministry said visiting leaders would include Swiss President Guy Parmelin, whose trip marks the first official visit to Thailand by a Swiss president in 22 years, and Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
According to Thailand’s Finance Ministry, spending by participants could generate between 1.05 billion and 2.25 billion baht for the country’s economy. More than 320 electric vehicles will also be deployed to transport participants and help reduce carbon emissions.
However, weather conditions could pose an additional challenge. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Bangkok and surrounding provinces on October 10 and 11, raising the risk of localised flooding.
The warning follows flooding in parts of the Thai capital two weeks earlier, when 320 millimetres of rain fell over three days.
