When did you first learn about CK Cheong? And why have you followed this man?
Nowadays, the name “CK Cheong” has become familiar to many. The CEO of Fastwork frequently appears across various online platforms. Beyond creating highly creative and humorous content, he sometimes sparks drama or shares what can be described as truly unconventional ideas, which has attracted many followers.
This man often wears casual T-shirts and speaks straightforwardly, resonating with many on topics ranging from finance and work to life. He consistently shares his unique perspectives that captivate audiences. Moreover, behind his uncommon viewpoints lies an equally remarkable life story.
A finance professional and overseas-educated young man now dedicating his life to elevating Thailand, CK not only serves full-time as CEO but also is a financial and business influencer currently pursuing a mission bigger than himself: transforming Thailand into a global technology market player.
Thairath Money has had multiple opportunities to interview CK Cheong, and in today’s article, the columnHow to Make Moneywill take a retrospective look at his journey before he became an influential figure, exploring CK Cheong’s background and compiling his shared philosophies with Thairath Money over time.
Before delving into his mindset, let’s revisit CK Cheong’s background. Ji Kris Cheong, known as CK Cheong, was born in 1993 to Thai-Chinese parents. He grew up with his Thai mother, which enabled him to speak Thai, before moving to the United States at age 13 following his parents’ separation.
CK has said that although he spent most of his childhood abroad, every time he visited Thailand, especially during summer breaks, he fell in love with the country. This fostered his life goal to return and contribute to Thailand’s development.
While in the U.S., he studied finance and accounting at Wake Forest University, a prestigious private research university in North Carolina. He completed dual degrees in finance and accounting and pursued a master’s in accounting at the same institution, specializing in Financial Transaction Services.
Regarding his work history, according toLinkedIn,CK gained experience in finance and business across China and Thailand. He worked as an analyst at Bank of America in the U.S. and held a CPA license before moving to New York City to work in M&A at Deloitte. This period marked a turning point in his life.
Working for major financial corporations, he questioned who he was really working for. He realized his expertise helped already wealthy investors grow richer, making his work feel meaningless. Consequently, he chose to return home.
CK settled in Thailand with a grand objective: to drive meaningful change where he could.
He first made his mark as a dynamic foreign-educated entrepreneur. His initial venture was with HAUP, a startup developing Thailand’s first Mobility Sharing app platform offering carsharing, EV carsharing, and motorbike sharing services. This company exited in 2021.
After that success, CK became involved in a nearly defunct business, Fastwork, revitalizing it.
A brief background on Fastwork: It is a startup created to promote freelance employment in Thailand, offering comprehensive services and branding itself as an Everything as a Service platform. Founded in 2018 by three co-founders who invested 250 million baht, it aimed to build a freelance hiring platform.
Initially, CK was not involved. But in 2019, just one year after Fastwork’s founding, the startup burned cash rapidly and ran out of money faster than planned. Amid stalled fundraising due to the severe COVID-19 outbreak, cash flow dried up, forcing the company to use payments meant for freelancers as operating capital.
In 2020, CK stepped in with the mission to stabilize the business. He negotiated with investors to raise funds via convertible bonds. However, as COVID worsened, investors demanded refunds. Ultimately, CK invested 10 million baht of his own money to acquire the company and agreed with investors on debt repayment in subsequent years. Today, he owns 100% of Fastwork.
Currently, Fastwork operates in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam (as Fastlance), targeting global expansion this year underFastwork.com.The platform is evolving into an AI Agentic Human Marketplace, where users can simply type queries and instantly find suitable workers.
CK often states his ultimate goal for Fastwork is to create jobs for Thais, enabling them to become whatever they wish. Today, Fastwork offers freelance jobs ranging from language translation and tutoring to unexpected gigs like finding travel companions, model-building assistance, and even hiring for merit-making ceremonies.
As mentioned, Thairath Money has interviewed CK several times, gathering diverse insights. Here is a compilation of his key philosophies.
CK views Fastwork not just as a platform connecting employers and freelancers but as a tool to address Thailand’s structural issues, especially inequality and the concentration of economic opportunities in Bangkok.
Fastwork’s concept starts with the question: How can talented people earn income from anywhere without relocating to Bangkok? CK envisions a future work world where individuals can live with family, do what they excel at, and earn income from their hometowns, with Fastwork linking skills to job opportunities.
Interestingly, although Fastwork still operates at a loss, CK explained to Thairath Money that while he could increase fees or cut staff to make profits, the key question is: “What does Thailand gain?”
This philosophy extends beyond profit maximization, emphasizing how business can benefit many people. A good business should not only enrich owners but also create opportunities for others.
“I love Thailand. I want to improve it because it’s my home.”
Read more in the article:CK, CEO of FASTWORK, the Freelance Hiring Platform, Aspires to Improve Thailand
Fastwork endured a severe crisis when funds depleted and COVID made fundraising impossible. The business deteriorated, investors demanded refunds, and the company nearly ceased operations. Yet, CK chose to buy the company with his own money.
While others saw risk, he saw something different. “On days when no one believes in us, even if the business fails, if we still believe, that is opportunity,” CK said.
He believes opportunities don’t only arise when everyone agrees; sometimes, the times when no one believes are when an individual can bet on their vision first.
This does not mean blind faith, but confidence must come from recognizing the value of what you are building.
In Fastwork’s case, CK saw the team’s dedication and the platform’s potential to create livelihoods for freelancers nationwide. His conviction wasn’t stubbornness but recognizing value others might not yet see.
Read more in the article:Bearhouse-Fastwork-Guss Damn Good: Three Styles Turning Inspiration into Next-Gen Business
Whenever asked about financial investment, CK often first asks, “Have you invested enough in yourself?”
He advises young people with limited capital to focus less on trying to multiply small investments quickly and more on increasing their own earning capacity first. Before building a large investment portfolio, one must strengthen personal income potential.
“Your greatest asset is your skill,” CK says, highlighting the concept of “4 golden hours.” Everyone has 24 hours daily; the question is not how many hours you work but how you invest your remaining time.
He believes that leftover time should be used to develop skills, deepen expertise, and increase market value. In a world where AI can perform many tasks and general knowledge is more accessible, specialized expertise remains valuable.
Thus, investing in yourself is not just inspirational but a personal economic strategy: the more skilled you become, the more income you can generate, enabling greater future investment.
Read more in the article:
A key principle for CK is being future-oriented. Whether life, work, or investing, he consistently asks: How will today’s actions matter in the future?
Regarding investing, he values companies with potential to grow in the future world, not just based on current numbers. The question shifts from “Is this company good today?” to “Will its products or services remain relevant tomorrow?”
His approach advises investors not to be overly fixated on present or past, but to look ahead. This mindset applies beyond stocks to life itself.
He believes developing oneself today might not show immediate results, building a business may not yield instant profits, and learning new skills may not generate income next month, but these actions shape one’s position five or ten years ahead.
Another frequent investment philosophy CK shares is, “Investing carries risk, but not investing is riskier.”
He encourages recognizing that inaction also carries costs and risks, especially in a world where inflation erodes purchasing power and business evolves rapidly. However, this doesn’t mean risking everything blindly but understanding that “not deciding” is itself a decision.
For CK, the key isn’t to avoid all risk — that’s impossible — but to understand what risks you are taking and whether they are worthwhile.
This is reflected in his entrepreneurial life; acquiring Fastwork during a crisis was risky, but letting a platform that could benefit many disappear was a different kind of risk.
Therefore, CK’s message is not to take the greatest risk but to select risks you can accept and bet on what you believe has a future.
In fact, CK’s shared philosophies and perspectives go beyond these points, covering many important topics he has answered for various people.
If you want CK to answer your questions personally, don’t miss Money Fest 2026 by Thairath Money, where CK will address all audience queries (except one on the S&P 500), covering investing, finance, and business perspectives. Register for free today athttps://event.thairath.co.th/all/event/TREVENT017
For business news, marketing strategies, and exclusive interviews with Thairath Money to help you “Finance Well, Live Well,” visithttps://www.thairath.co.th/money/business_marketing
Follow Thairath Money on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/ThairathMoney