Amid an era where inflation relentlessly erodes our savings every second, leaving money idle is no longer a safe option. One highlight of the "Thairath Money Campus Tour 2026" was an in-depth discussion on financial and investment tips from
They shared concepts and perspectives, laying the foundation from managing income and expenses to clearly scanning where our money should be placed today to grow sustainably. Both shared their experiences in an easy-to-understand, practical style.
Before discussing investment portfolios, the most important starting point is establishing the correct mindset and financial discipline. Wealth does not come from luck but from systematic management and a comprehensive view of oneself.
Offroad Kantapon, representing the younger generation who prioritize money management and long-term investment, believes the essence of wealth building starts with the most basic thing: "personally tracking daily income and expenses" to understand spending limits and invest the leftover money.
Currently, he manages to allocate up to 60% of his income for savings and investment (down from 80% before starting a company to systematize his finances). Besides investing in funds, he also shares and helps others during crises, such as the Hat Yai flood incident.
Professor M points out that finance and investing are essentially "mathematics" and not too difficult for those without a formal background, requiring only additional study. He compares setting return goals to solving equations to determine how to structure a portfolio to meet those goals.
He also warns that without investing to grow our money, inflation will erode our purchasing power. For example, in 40 years, 50 million baht will be worth only about 10 million baht in today's terms. Therefore, starting to invest and allowing time for growth is crucial.
The classic question follows: "Where should money be placed to grow and beat inflation?" Amid various options, each asset class has its appeal and risks from different perspectives, as follows.
- Gold -
Professor M agrees with long-term gold investment, recommending holding for 5-10 years. He explains using the "Dollar Recycling" theory: currently, the U.S. buys goods worldwide with dollars, and countries use those dollars to buy U.S. bonds, resulting in over 30 trillion dollars of U.S. debt.
Therefore, when people realize they only hold "paper" and lose faith in the dollar, money will flow back into tangible assets like gold and Bitcoin for sure.
Meanwhile, Offroad views gold as offering capital gain, better than leaving money idle, but personally remains fascinated by compound interest's power to exponentially grow future value.
- Bitcoin -
Offroad also invests in Bitcoin, believing "every crisis creates new millionaires." He sees current market value as belief-based, but ultimately, performance and real usage will reflect true intrinsic value, which numbers never lie about.
Professor M adds that digital assets were created to solve pain points of centralized financial systems dominated by governments and to prevent unbacked money printing (QE).
- Real Estate -
Offroad clearly states he dislikes buying houses or condos, seeing them as "debt," not assets. Home loans often trap one with compound interest. For example, a 2-million-baht house might actually cost 4 million baht in total.
As long as the mortgage isn’t paid off, the title deed remains with the bank. He prefers investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), focusing on warehouses and factories, as manufacturing businesses have long-term tenants and generate steady dividends.
Professor M points out that investing 20 million baht in a large house is less profitable than investing for a 5% return (earning 100,000 baht monthly) and renting a home instead.
However, if buying a home, it should be a "hybrid" approach where the property generates income, such as dividing space for offices, cafes, or rentals. He agrees with Offroad on REITs because of professional management and higher liquidity than owning land directly.
- Stocks and Funds -
Offroad shares that he invests 100% in stocks, advising to remove emotional biases and use vision to foresee what will drive the world 10-20 years from now, such as AI or technology, then invest accordingly.
He emphasizes the Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) strategy, investing equal amounts monthly to build strong average cost and withstand daily market fluctuations.
Professor M stresses stocks should be among the first interests because buying shares means owning companies. When choosing stocks, consider which companies you want to co-own and invest to grow with them.
If lacking time, he recommends starting with index funds. Once familiar with a company's vision, gradually allocate funds to active stock picking, allowing 5-10 years for the business to grow without expecting overnight wealth.
Finally, Offroad emphasizes everyone must prepare an "emergency fund" in the safest bank accounts, personally keeping a two-year reserve to handle future uncertainties.
Professor M reminds that investing is a "30-year marathon," requiring gradual wealth accumulation. Though slow, it is sure. The key is risk diversification and avoiding scams promising unrealistically high returns.
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