Bangkok, March 10, 2014 ? The SEC jointly with the Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC), the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the Thai Bankers? Association (TBA), the Association of International Banks (AIB), the Association of Securities Companies (ASCO), and the Thai Listed Companies Association (TLCA), launched a project called  ?A thousand baht, Start a journey to your dream? to promote investment discipline among working-age population by conveniently investing at least 1,000 baht a month to ensure that the savings last through their retirement years.  

The Project aims at promoting Thai working-age population?s self-discipline in saving and making monthly investment in the participated mutual funds at a minimum 1,000 baht a month to reach their medium and long-term goals for retirement. At present, most of working-age people have not prioritized the need of  saving for retirement. Many of them started saving too late with a little money in assets offering low return and thus unable to trail inflation.

16 asset management companies joined the Project offering 46 mutual funds, comprising equity funds, fixed income funds, mixed funds, and target date funds. Investors can select the funds suitable to their risk appetite and their medium to long-term investment goals. Those who are interested can open account and buy investment units either from asset management companies directly or through securities companies and commercial bank branches.

Vorapol Socatiyanurak, SEC Secretary-General said ?Investment discipline can be achieved by making either a little or large amount of investment continuously. It will help people to end up with more savings and meet with their financial goals. ?A thousand baht, Start a journey to your dream? Project aims to promote investment on a voluntary basis and help investors to get started; especially the first jobbers with small earnings to obtain adequate returns for their needs.  The SEC also published the Project brochure for dissemination through the selling points of asset management companies, securities companies and bank branches for investors? investment decision making. We believe that the Project will raise public awareness in starting investment plan at an individual level, which could significantly raise the level of national saving.

Somjin Sornpaisal, Chairman of AIMC said ?Mutual fund allows investors to select from different types of asset classes and investment policies and thus to allocate their investment suitable for their risk profiles and needs.  It also provides returns for medium and long-term investments to help minimize risk of outliving their money.  Asset management companies are prompt to provide investment management service for retail investors as well as support them to have better understanding and start investing in mutual funds with discipline to eventually achieve their goals in different time horizon.?

Kesara Manchusree, SET Executive Vice President and Head of Markets Division said ?Investment in capital market has become more attractive to investing public as an alternative to traditional savings. For potential and new investors, mutual fund managed by professional managers would be a suitable investment choice. For years, the SET has placed high priority on promoting investor education and investment in mutual funds through a number of projects and activities, especially the well-known ?Let Your Money Work through Mutual Funds? program which has been running for 11 years. The SET believes that the Project will help raise public awareness on making consistent and continuous investment.?

Chartsiri Sophonpanich, Chairman of TBA said ?TBA is well aware of intermediary?s roles to promote saving and investment to uplift a standard of living and build a stable life. With over 6,600 bank branches nationwide,  the branches have functioned as selling point of financial products including mutual funds and a network of channels for knowledge dissemination where most of investors make their investment decision. TBA is pleased to support this Project to promote financial literacy and saving discipline among working-age population and will put our efforts to improve quality of personnel and capital market services to better serve investors.? 

Pattera Dilokrungthirapop, Chairperson of ASCO said ?Securities companies are willing to support investment in mutual funds . With our strength as mutual fund sale representatives for a number of asset management firms, we can provide information on return comparison and investment advice suitable for investors? profiles. Securities companies also serve investors with need to diverse their investment but lack of time.  Investment discipline made through mutual funds will help expand institutional investor base and bring about a well-balanced investor base. Impact from panic in the market would accordingly be alleviated and help support stability and robustness of the Thai capital market.?