Protesters Gather Against IMF-World Bank Meeting, Police Deploy
Hundreds of activists from the People's Network and the Poor People's Assembly rallied in Bangkok on 16 October to oppose the annual World Bank and IMF meeting, marching toward the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Police deployed steel barriers and tightened security as demonstrators prepared symbolic march equipment and called for debt cancellation and food sovereignty. Observers from the National Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International monitored the peaceful protest.
At 07:00 on 16 October 2025, the network of citizens opposed to the World Bank and IMF, led by Lertsak Kamkhongsak, Jamnong Nuphan and Jarasri Chan‑ai, assembled at the Rama IV–Ratchadaphisek junction in Khlong Toei to protest the annual World Bank‑IMF meeting taking place from 12 to 18 October at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Organisers said the institutions’ policies could harm the public and create problems from state‑led projects. By early morning, about 200‑350 protesters had arrived, some resting, eating and preparing for the demonstration.
At 07:30, the Poor People's Assembly, led by Baramee Chai‑rat and Natthon Chonsri, gathered at gate 1 of Lumpini Park to demand government action on their issues and to voice their stance toward the World Bank meeting. Participation grew from roughly 400 to 600 and then 800 according to successive morning reports. Demonstrators began forming a procession, preparing long drums, rice bundles, sugarcane and fishing gear to symbolise Thailand’s food security, while carrying banners and flags calling for debt cancellation for farmers and the restoration of food sovereignty.
Observers from the National Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International Thailand monitored the scene. The Poor People's Assembly planned to march from approximately 09:00‑09:30 along Vibhavadi‑Rangsit Road, passing through Phloen Chit, Sukhumvit, the Nana area and Asok intersection before heading to Ratchadaphisek and the convention centre for a symbolic rally and speeches, intending to conclude around 17:00.
Meanwhile, the State Enterprises Workers' Federation held a separate gathering at the Port Authority of Thailand. At 08:00, deputy secretary‑general Neeranut Chitsam used a loudspeaker to explain their opposition to the World Bank and IMF’s financial, trade and investment policies, preparing to march to present their demands to World Bank representatives. By 08:40, Sawit Kaeowwan delivered the federation’s stance before reading a multilingual statement and forming a column of about 100 participants. At 09:15, Chaiyut Homwong, president of the Metropolitan Waterworks State Enterprise Union, criticised the privatisation of state enterprises and warned of IMF influence over the process.
Traffic on Asok‑Sukhumvit toward the convention centre was blocked by police‑installed steel barriers on both sides of the road, preventing vehicles from using the Asok intersection to reach the venue.
