Bangkok’s ‘Defying Gravity’ Summit: 100 Nations Weigh How Long the Global Economy Can Stay Afloat

In a glass‑walled meeting space at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit conference centre, delegates from over a hundred countries gathered to ask the age‑old question: how long can the global economy stay buoyant?

The atmosphere was calm and air‑conditioned, but the agenda was anything but – sky‑high oil prices and a swirl of geopolitical turmoil were on the menu, reminding everyone that the world’s finances are anything but a gentle breeze.

While the discussion was serious, the tone was lightly sarcastic. Participants joked that the only thing truly defying gravity was the optimism they were trying to keep afloat amid the rising costs.

As the talks wound down, there was no dramatic proclamation or unanimous pledge – just a shared acknowledgement that the economy’s future will continue to be watched closely, with a healthy dose of humour to keep the conversation from deflating.