Govt declares holiday, 3 WFH days for October IMF-WB meeting

The Cabinet has declared Friday October 16, 2026, a special public holiday in Bangkok and approved working-from-home on three more days to reduce traffic on the capital’s roads during the annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The reduced traffic will also help in providing the level of security required for such gatherings.

Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek announced today that the Cabinet approved the Finance Ministry’s proposal regarding national committee restructuring and logistical preparations for the summit.

Under the approved guidelines, civil servants stationed within Bangkok will be required to work from home on Monday, October 12, Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15, 2026.

State enterprises, financial institutions, educational facilities and private businesses near the meeting venues have also been asked to implement appropriate remote working or operational adjustments based on their specific locations.

Heads of government agencies with critical public service mandates or pre-scheduled civilian appointments on those dates may exercise discretion to remain open if a closure would cause significant disruption or public harm.

The special measures are designed to ensure seamless transit, reduce the capital's notorious congestion and enable the enforcement of maximum security protocols for the arriving finance ministers and central bank governors.

Thailand expects to welcome more than 15,000 delegates from 190 countries, including finance ministers, central bank chiefs, global banking executives and top economics academics. The attendees will gather to exchange views on the global economy, financial stability and collaborative solutions to pressing macroeconomic challenges.

The 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from October 12 to 18, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC).