Bank of Thailand Shuts BAHTNET Oct 16 for IMF Meetings
Thailand's central bank will shut down BAHTNET, its interbank transfer system, on October 16 for the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, affecting cross-bank payments and check clearing until October 19.
The Cabinet has designated Friday, October 16, 2025, as a special public holiday in Bangkok to facilitate the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings 2026, scheduled for October 12–18, 2025. The Bank of Thailand has correspondingly ordered all financial institutions to close on that date as well. The central bank has announced that BAHTNET, Thailand's domestic interbank fund transfer system, will be shut down on October 16, disrupting certain financial transactions for the public and businesses.
Affected services include: (1) BAHTNET fund transfers, (2) inter-bank check clearing and deposit services, and (3) bulk electronic payment transfers between banks.
The Bank of Thailand advises individuals and businesses planning large transfers, cross-bank check deposits, or payroll payments to process them before October 16 or defer them to the next business day. On that date, the central bank will also suspend market operations with partner financial institutions and will not publish benchmark interest rates for the interbank market. BAHTNET will resume normal operations on Monday, October 19.
However, the general public can still conduct routine transactions through alternative channels such as mobile banking, ATMs, and cash deposit machines. Financial institutions are expected to communicate these changes to customers so the public and businesses can plan ahead. Anyone with questions should contact their bank directly.
