Ekniti leads the team inspecting Suvarnabhumi Airport's readiness to facilitate IMF-World Bank meeting attendees from their very first step upon arriving in Thailand, revealing that more than 16,000 people have registered to attend.
10 Oct 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, together with Mr. Lawaron Saengsanit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Phanthong Loikulnan, Director-General of the Customs Department, along with executives and officials related to Suvarnabhumi Airport, inspected readiness and conducted rehearsals to prepare for welcoming the participants. The 2026 Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026). At Suvarnabhumi Airport, 4th Floor, Passenger Terminal, Samut Prakan Province, to provide convenience by allocating a special fast-track lane at immigration checkpoints exclusively for IMF-World Bank participants, ensuring every step from arrival in Thailand proceeds quickly, safely, smoothly, and efficiently. Currently, more than 16,000 participants have registered.
The team also inspected operational points and staff readiness covering reception procedures, document checks, immigration, disease control, customs procedures, and transferring participants to the reception area. The focus was on coordinated inter-agency cooperation to handle the large number of participants and respond promptly to any situation.
. Suvarnabhumi Airport is Thailand’s primary gateway welcoming conference participants from around the world. Therefore, preparations focus not only on accuracy and speed of processing but also on the first experience upon arrival to build confidence and leave a strong impression from the very first step in Thailand.
Mr. Ekniti said that participants have been arriving steadily; for example, today he welcomed Mr. Carlos Carvalho Spalding, the conference chair from Paraguay, and conducted a final inspection of the reception. The event has received praise for efficient management. Tomorrow (11 Oct 2026), Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, will also arrive in Thailand, with procedures in place.
Meanwhile, Mr. Phanthong added that the Customs Department, together with the Immigration Bureau, International Disease Control checkpoint, and related agencies, have fully prepared personnel, operational areas, service procedures, and coordination systems to support this important mission at full capacity.
