Thailand Hosts a Controversial Guest
Article by Kheetanat Wannaboworn and Walden Bello. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Khaosod English. Perhaps the two international agencies that would score lowest in popularity among Thais would be the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. This is why many Thais have greeted with […] The post Thailand Hosts a Controversial Guest…
Thailand is set to host a highly controversial gathering from October 12 to 18, 2026, as two major international agencies, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, convene for their annual fall meeting in Bangkok. This decision has sparked outrage among many Thais, who associate the institutions with a long list of negative impacts.
The World Bank's history in Thailand is fraught with controversy. In 1991, the Bank provided a $24 million loan to help construct the Pak Mun Dam, which displaced approximately 1,700 households and led to a catastrophic decline in fish populations. The dam has been a source of ongoing frustration for local communities, who argue that it has created more problems than benefits.
The World Bank's global reach is extensive, with over 41,000 employees worldwide, with the majority working out of its headquarters in Washington, DC. Despite its efforts to end poverty, the Bank's lending has risen from $55 billion in 2015 to $123 billion in 2026. Critics argue that the Bank's structural adjustment programs, which promote trade liberalization, deregulation, and privatization, have had a disastrous impact on developing nations.
Many countries have been stuck in these programs for decades, without any significant progress in poverty reduction. The Bank's "Poverty Reduction Strategy Program" has been widely criticized as a façade for continuing structural adjustment.
Written by urgent.news from Khaosod English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
