Thailand prepares to host IMF-World Bank meetings

Thailand is preparing to host the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok from Oct 12–18, bringing together more than 15,000 participants from 191 countries, including central bank governors, economic policymakers and business leaders, for discussions on the world economy.

To ease traffic, Bangkok government offices will work from home on Oct 12, 14 and 15, while Oct 13 is an existing public holiday and Oct 16 has been declared a special government and bank holiday, with private companies and state enterprises asked to consider suitable arrangements.

Security has been tightened at the meeting venue in central Bangkok and 21 official hotels, according to the authorities.

About 500 Tourist Police officers will also help secure the venue, delegate hotels and tourist attractions through undercover deployments, patrols, drones and motorcade escorts coordinated with around 39 embassies, Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Phongsiam Meekhanthong said.

Visiting leaders include Swiss President Guy Parmelin, making the first official visit to Thailand by a Swiss president in 22 years, and Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the Thai Foreign Ministry said.

Participants’ spending could generate 1.05–2.25 billion baht for the Thai economy, according to the Thai Finance Ministry.

More than 320 electric vehicles will serve participants to cut carbon emissions, the Thai Finance Ministry said.

Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast for Bangkok and surrounding provinces on Oct 10–11, potentially causing localised flooding, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration warned. This comes after parts of the city flooded two weeks ago following 320 mm (12.6 inches) of rain over three days.