BANGKOK, Thailand – IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has praised Thai silk and the warmth of Thai hospitality, revealing that she wore Thai silk outfits every day during the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
Speaking at the closing press conference on October 18, Georgieva said she hoped to leave Thailand not only as head of the International Monetary Fund but also as an ambassador for Thai silk.
“I am coming to Bangkok as the head of the IMF, and I am so proud that I will be leaving as an ambassador for Thai silk,” she said, according to remarks reported by Thai media.
Georgieva explained that her admiration began when she visited an exhibition showcasing the late Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, wearing Thai silk in her role as an ambassador for the fabric. Inspired by the exhibition, she decided to wear Thai silk throughout the week-long meetings in tribute to the Queen Mother and in appreciation of Thai culture.
She wore coordinated Thai silk outfits at several major events during the meetings, including media briefings and discussions with international financial leaders. She also shared her appreciation on her personal Instagram account.
IMF chief sees potential for Thailand over the next decade
Georgieva also offered an optimistic outlook for Thailand’s economic future, highlighting the country’s adaptability, creativity and role in global supply chains. She described Asia as the world’s most dynamic region, saying it was expected to account for 68% of global economic growth in 2026. Thailand and other ASEAN members, she said, were important contributors to the region’s dynamism.
Looking ahead over the next 10 years, Georgieva said she expected productivity to rise and Thai people to continue adapting quickly to global changes. She also expressed hope that one characteristic would remain unchanged: the smiles of Thai people, describing Thailand as the “Land of Smiles”. Addressing artificial intelligence, a major topic during the meetings, she said that whether people liked, disliked or feared AI, the technology had arrived and societies needed to respond to it.
Georgieva also reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to putting people at the centre of its work. She said the organisation was becoming more closely connected with its member countries and stressed that economic policies must ultimately serve the public.
The IMF’s policy advice to governments, she said, should always consider its effects on ordinary people, including children, women and men. The organisation would continue providing policy guidance and financial assistance to countries facing difficulties when needed.
