Bangkok [Thailand], October 10: The Ministry of Finance of Thailand and the Bank of Thailand are involved in preparations for the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group-an event, given its scale, often dubbed the 'Olympics of Finance. '
The preparation team, headed by Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, alongside Dr. Vinit Visessuvanapoom, Director General of the Fiscal Policy Office, and Mr. Nadhavudh Dhamasiri, Deputy Director General of the Fiscal Policy Office, guided members of the press through the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) to showcase the venue's full readiness for the meetings. With preparations completed on all fronts ahead of the official handover to the IMF and the World Bank, Thailand is set to open its doors to over 15,000 policymakers, economists, government officials, private sector executives, and media representatives from 191 countries who are coming together to jointly shape the direction of the global economy. Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, stated that Thailand will open its doors next week from 12 - 18 October 2026 to welcome world economic and financial leaders as host of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings. Hosting this gathering is akin to bringing the global headquarters of the IMF and the World Bank Group from Washington, D. C. , directly to Thailand. For this milestone occasion, the Thai government has not only prepared facilities and infrastructure to the highest international standards, but has also integrated advanced technology and digital innovation, while infusing Thailand's distinctive identity and culture-including warmth, friendship, and the meticulous care of Thai Hospitality-into every aspect of the welcome, creating a lasting impression and underscoring Thailand's standing on the world stage. Regarding venue readiness, the QSNCC has elevated its operations to international benchmarks. Highlights include a state-of-the-art Master Control Room and broadcast transmission systems built to the same caliber as major global events like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League, managed by an elite team with direct operational experience from the World Economic Forum in Davos. Concurrently, the highest level of security is being implemented in close coordination with the Royal Thai Police through a multi-tiered security zoning system, featuring 17 X-ray checkpoints, 19 walk-through security gates, and integrated 24-hour CCTV surveillance. Dedicated security personnel are also stationed around the clock across all 21 official delegate hotels. To date, registration has exceeded 15,000 attendees and continues to increase, reflecting the international community's confidence in convening in Thailand to set the agenda for the global economy. Dr. Ekniti added that beyond generating an immediate economic injection of approximately THB 1. 05 billion to 2.