On stage Thairath Money Campus Tour 2026: Money Debut, Upskilling Financial Knowledge A conversation between Jes Jesdapipat, actor and Thanom Kateam, owner of the TaxBugnoms page who discuss not just general finance but "life design" in an era where no career is 100% secure anymore.
They both began on very different career paths—one as an actor and the other in what many consider a stable job, a civil servant. Jes Jesdapipat became well known as an actor, while Thanom built the TaxBugnoms page with millions of social media followers.
Thairath Money explores their journeys, mindsets, and money management approaches in a world where no career is guaranteed to last.
Jes shared that he entered the entertainment industry while in high school after catching the eye of a talent scout, starting in films before moving to lead roles on television, which boosted his fame and income.
But, as is well known, actors don’t have work forever. Their income graph can spike high but then drop to zero. "Not everyone will have work, and having work today doesn’t guarantee it tomorrow," Jes said. This led him to create a second income stream to ease mental pressure during slow periods. Whether through investment or business (while some actor friends started personal businesses, Jes chose to invest). He sees this as essential to avoid relying solely on being hired.
Thanom started from what many see as a stable job: a civil servant at the Revenue Department. But he later realized his side incomes—from speaking engagements, hosting, and running his finance page—exceeded his main salary. He wanted a role with more output, balancing income and time, which led him to resign.
Thanom’s path shows that even stable jobs aren’t fully secure in today’s fast-changing world. He said, "In the past, it was okay to think that being a civil servant, working in the private sector, or running a business was good. But today the world changes so fast, and true security comes from managing things better."
Both agree: "Start with work that provides potential and security, accumulate experience fully, then pursue your passion."
Jes said, "Stable work and work you love should go hand in hand. I recommend choosing stability first to support yourself and your family. Once your foundation is secure, it’s not too late to follow your dreams. It’s even better if your passion can generate income."
Jes also emphasized that experience always matters more than theory. Although he studied finance directly, he firmly believes, "Real-world experience is more important than what you learn in class." Many life and financial planning lessons come from what he’s actually done.
Thanom added that the hardest part is discovering what you truly love. "Many people don’t know their passion at first, so they should gain enough experience and accept that everyone starts from different places. Some may need to work for money first and enjoy their passion as a hobby later."
Both Thanom and Jes also stressed not to trust others blindly in financial matters, especially investing. Trust yourself and study carefully because no one cares for your money more than you. Investing always carries risks—even well-analyzed stocks can lose value. It’s vital to invest only money you’re comfortable risking, without harming your quality of life.
Thanom and Jes recommend a money division formula for recent graduates starting their first salary:
Good investing means investing in a way that lets you sleep well. Thanom emphasized that good investors are those at peace—having enough reserves, insurance, and realistic risk tolerance—not those who gamble everything and lose sleep or must sell assets.
Thanom then explained another crucial topic everyone with income must understand: taxes, often "benefits Thai people throw away." He said most only care about taxes when the Revenue Department retroactively charges them, often with fines worth millions. If annual income is under 300,000 baht, you may owe no tax but must file to get withheld tax refunded. Don’t lose this money out of laziness or ignorance.
At the end, both defined retirement in their own way. Jes said he once tried a two-month retirement simulation—doing nothing, staying home, playing golf—but found it "very boring," because for him, "Work gives a person a sense of self-worth."
From Thanom’s perspective, "Retirement means having choices. True retirement isn’t about stopping work but having the financial freedom to choose whether or not to work." Don’t pressure yourself to retire at 30 or 40 just because it’s trendy online. Focus on living a long, stable life in your own way.
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