Thailand

Bangkok, October 14, 2026. As the host country of the IMF and World Bank's annual meetings, held from October 12 to 18 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Thailand is viewing the Global Economic Prospects as a reflection of its own situation. Released on Tuesday, October 13, in the capital, they indicate a global growth rate of 3.1% in 2026, up from 3.0% in July, thanks to reoriented energy flows and investments in AI, according to Channel NewsAsia.

The Thai press is focusing on the national figure. Interviewed by The Standard, the IMF's chief economist, Silvana Tenreyro, forecasts 2.1% growth for Thailand this year and next, and inflation of 2.1% and then 1.7%, the country having exited last year's deflationary cycle. Without the AI engine, she says, the global economy would be significantly weaker: global trade is progressing by 8.6%, with nearly 30% for AI-related exchanges, compared to 4.6% excluding AI. A regional comparison by the same media, however, places Thailand at the bottom of the ASEAN, excluding Brunei: the IMF sees Vietnam at 8.4% in 2026, and Thailand at 2.1%.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas defended the "Trusted Connector" strategy at the "Building Resilience in a Fragmented World" forum. As a net energy importer, long dependent on over 50% of Middle Eastern oil, Thailand has diversified its purchases to West Africa and Latin America. The yield on 10-year bonds has gained 60 basis points in eight months, compared to 120 for US Treasury bonds, and foreign investment promotion requests have increased by 47% in the first half.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva tempers this narrative: yields will remain high for longer, the borrowing cost for emerging countries like Thailand is rising, and she urges Bangkok to stimulate its growth and trade more with ASEAN. On October 14, the IMF, World Bank, and Bank of Thailand launched the "Bangkok Blueprint" against digital fraud, in 12 points, presented by Governor Vitai Ratanakorn.

The event is also being seen in terms of spin-offs: the Ministry of Finance is expecting 1.05 to 2.25 billion baht in activity, with over 15,000 participants, according to Khaosod English.