Bangkok Bank Advises: Want to Get Rich Quickly? Stop Hunting for Hot Stocks First, Because 91.5% of Success Isn’t About Stocks

At the "Thairath Money Campus Tour 2026" held at Srinakharinwirot University, Prasarnmit Campus, a pivotal moment occurred to change young people's mindset about money under the theme “SMART START: Good Financial Life Begins with Basic Understanding,” where professional financial advisors from Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited revealed practical tips.

Lesson 1: Build the "Financial Pyramid" Structure—Construct a House That Will Never Collapse.

Thanakorn Autaraskul, a financial advisor from Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, likened financial planning to "building a house," which must begin with a strong foundation before ascending to the pyramid’s peak.

• Change the Life Equation (The New Mindset): The major problem for most people is spending first and saving what’s left (Income - Expenses = Savings), which often leaves nothing. He recommends switching to the formula "Income - Savings = Expenses" to establish fixed saving discipline.
• The Foundation and First Brick (Protection): Before jumping into investing, many overlook "protection." The financial advisor emphasized that having insurance is not something negative but rather "using a small sum of money to cover large risks" to prevent unexpected events from affecting the main investment capital.
• Savings Options in a Low-Interest Era: It was pointed out that normal savings accounts yield only 0.5% interest, so one should choose instruments offering better returns with low risk. Currently, there are several options such as:

- E-Saving: Offers up to 1.35% annual return, with very high liquidity allowing immediate withdrawal but capped at 1 million baht. A 15% withholding tax applies if interest exceeds 20,000 baht.

- Short-term Money Market Funds: Provide about 1.30% annual return, with the key advantages of no tax and fast redemption (T+1 day).

- Term Fund: Returns 0.95% per year, also tax-exempt, but suitable for funds that are not needed before maturity.

Lesson 2: The Power of Time and the "Rule of 72" that Shortens the Path to Success.

Jutarat Kaewjaeng, a financial advisor from Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, emphasized to the Srinakharinwirot University students that "time" is the most important advantage for youth, noting that longer life expectancy in Thailand means the post-retirement spending period is much longer than before.

• Three Questions to Success: Planning must be clear with "what-how much-when," for example, wanting to study abroad costing 2 million baht in four years, to have a tangible goal.
• The Magical Rule of 72: A shortcut formula to calculate the time for money to double by dividing 72 by the rate of return:
  • With a 10% annual return: 1 million baht will become 2 million baht in just 7.2 years.
  • With a 1% annual return: you would have to wait 72 years for your money to double.

Reviewing the Mixed Formula for Sustainable Success.

Ultimately, the goal of good financial life is to combine Active Income (earning money through work) and Passive Income (letting money work for you), following the principles of "Build, Protect, Accumulate, Transfer."

However, the most important factor is to allocate the portfolio (Asset Allocation) according to one’s risk tolerance.

1. Conservative Group: Focuses on preserving capital by investing almost entirely in bonds.
2. Balanced Group: Diversifies risk by allocating nearly half to stocks for growth opportunities.
3. Aggressive Group: Emphasizes maximum growth by weighting stocks up to 77% and adding alternative assets.

In today’s world, relying on a single income source cannot keep up with circumstances; thus, starting to "upskill in financial matters" early is the only way to truly achieve financial freedom.

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