Accra:Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, described the hosting of the IMF-World Bank 2026 General Assembly as a significant opportunity for the country. He emphasized that the event was a chance to showcase Thailand's potential across various dimensions, including logistics, infrastructure, and economic stability, to the international community.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister highlighted the success of the conference, which was attended by representatives from 191 countries. There were no significant complaints or shortcomings, and all participating countries expressed satisfaction and confidence in Thailand's capabilities. The government aims to leverage this positive experience to create opportunities, income, welfare, and employment for Thai citizens.
During the event, Mr. Anutin held discussions with high-level leaders from various countries, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Mr. Kevin Warsh, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and the Secretary-General of the OECD. The OECD Secretary-General expressed confidence in Thailand's potential to gain OECD membership, viewing it as a "springboard" for the country's international standing.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the challenges in hosting the event, noting that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, had initially expressed concerns due to the minority government situation. However, the event's success was attributed to the cooperation of civil servants, the private sector, relevant officials, and the public.
When questioned about the cost-effectiveness of hosting the conference, Mr. Anutin emphasized that it was not about profit and loss but "value for money." The event facilitated business matching and the signing of various Memorandums of Understanding in Thailand, enhancing economic credibility and establishing a new foundation for the country's growth. When asked about the "Thailand Plus" model, Mr. Anutin described it as "Exponential," referring to exponential growth.