Thailand staged a series of martial arts performances on October 15 to introduce its cultural heritage to finance officials attending the 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas attended the event alongside Bank of Thailand Governor Vitai Ratanakorn, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The programme marked the first time full-scale competitive Muay Thai bouts had been included in an IMF-World Bank meeting, according to a Nation Thailand report.
The Thai Fight segment featured male and female fighters competing in traditional rope-bound bouts that generated strong interest among international attendees. Demonstrations incorporated the Wai Kru ritual in which fighters pay respect to their teachers along with technique showcases and an interactive session allowing participants to try basic Muay Thai movements. Ekniti highlighted the discipline and cultural significance of these elements during the proceedings.
A war-drum performance blending traditional instruments such as the tapon and peung mang with martial arts movements opened the programme and built an energetic atmosphere. The sword fighting display brought together the Phetch Jaras Saeng performance troupe and the Buddhaisawan Sword Fighting Institute from Kanchanaburi to combine krabi krabong combat techniques with graceful dance elements. Nation Thailand reported that the collaboration balanced strength and artistry to introduce the martial form to a global audience.
Ekniti described Muay Thai as more than a sport and an expression of Thai values including courage, perseverance, discipline, respect and humility. The Thai cabinet approved the nomination of Muay Thai for the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, according to the Ministry of Culture. He drew particular attention to the wai khru tradition of paying respect to teachers in his closing remarks at the showcase and positioned the martial art as a means of connecting cultures among the meeting participants.
Thailand last hosted the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in 1991, making the 2026 gathering a return after 35 years. The event has drawn representatives from more than 190 countries to discuss global economic and financial issues at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. A separate press release from the meetings organising team noted that the cultural programme offered a change of pace from the formal discussions.
The showcase formed part of welcome activities aimed at promoting Thai identity to delegates through its national martial art. Attendees gathered in large numbers around the stage with many recording the performances on mobile devices. Organisers integrated the sword fighting, war drums and Thai Fight elements to present a distinctive experience of Thailand’s heritage during the global conference.
