Thai Police To Keep Order At IMF-world Bank Meetings Amid Protests

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Thai police have deployed personnel around the venue of the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok, attended by about 15,000 delegates from 191 countries, amid demonstrations over the policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) on Thursday, where the high-profile meetings attended by finance ministers, central bank governors and financial institution executives are being held from Oct 12 to 18.

The protest, organised by a group calling itself the “People’s Network Against the World Bank-IMF”, was directed at policies that the demonstrators claimed favoured big businesses at the expense of ordinary people.

Royal Thai Police spokesperson Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor in a statement on Thursday said police personnel had been deployed to maintain public order and safety, ensuring that the demonstrations did not disrupt the meetings or inconvenience members of the public.

"The police have established clear procedures under the law and a specific plan to manage the protest," he said.

According to the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Siriwat said no legal action had been taken against any protesters so far.

He reminded the demonstrators to comply with the Public Assembly Act, which includes prohibitions on carrying weapons, trespassing, damaging property or obstructing officers responsible for maintaining public order.

Siriwat urged protesters to gather in designated areas prepared by the authorities, adding that relevant agencies would listen to their concerns and work together to ensure the demonstration remained peaceful without infringing on the rights and freedoms of others.

"Demonstrators must ensure that their activities do not affect security measures for the international meetings," he said, adding that they were prohibited from marching or moving the assembly between 6 pm and 6 am the following day without permission from the authorities.

On traffic arrangements, Siriwat advised the public to avoid Ratchadaphisek Road between the Asok Montri intersection on Sukhumvit Road and the Rama IV intersection from Oct 15 to 16.

Last week, the Thai government announced that Bangkok-based government officials would work from home on Oct 12, 14 and 15, while Oct 16 was declared a special public holiday to ease traffic congestion and facilitate security arrangements for thousands of international delegates.

-- BERNAMA