Islamic Bank of Thailand Drives ASEAN Capital to Islamic Finance
Islamic Bank of Thailand hosted an international forum on Islamic finance in Bangkok on 14 October 2026, positioning Thailand as a hub linking ASEAN capital to global markets. Over 100 officials, financiers, and experts discussed how Islamic finance can boost economic resilience, support green transitions, and deepen ASEAN‑world cooperation. The event underscored Thailand’s ambition to become the gateway to global Islamic finance.
The Islamic Bank of Thailand, together with the International Islamic Economics and Finance Conference for Sustainable Development (IFESDC), organized the international forum "Islamic Finance: From Crisis Resilience to Transition Finance" as an affiliated program of the IMF‑World Bank Annual Meetings 2026 hosted by Thailand. Over 100 high‑level officials, diplomats, financial institution executives, academics, and interested parties from Thailand and abroad registered for the event held at the Westin Grand Sukhumvit in Bangkok on 14 October 2026. The forum aligned with Thailand’s hosting theme "Thailand’s New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience", aiming to link Islamic finance with economic resilience, expanding financial access, mobilising funds for sustainable development, and strengthening ASEAN‑Islamic finance cooperation. Taveelap Ritthaporn, board member and managing director of the Islamic Bank of Thailand, welcomed participants, stating that Islamic finance plays a key role in driving a strong, inclusive, sustainable global economy by linking finance to real economic activity and promoting risk‑sharing. He added that Islamic finance supports the transition to a green economy and broad‑based growth, and that Thailand has the potential and readiness to become a bridge between ASEAN and the global Islamic finance industry, leveraging its strategic location, strong halal sector, and growing international ties. The bank aims to enhance its capabilities to become Thailand’s gateway to global Islamic finance by connecting international financial partners, supporting sustainable fundraising, and creating new economic opportunities for Thai SMEs and businesses. Dr. Arun Boonchom, the Chularatchamontri, opened the forum officially, emphasising that Islamic finance is not merely a financial service system but a concept of driving the economy on morality and responsibility under the Maqasid al‑Shariah principles.
