The “Aom No. 5” campaign’s main objective is to expand investor base, particularly those of working age, encouraging them to be prepared for the future and have saving discipline through dollar cost averaging (DCA) investment scheme. Those who are interested to join the campaign can start with the opening of a mutual fund account, making initial investment of 5,000 baht or more, joining the monthly investment scheme for 12 consecutive months with the minimum investment amount of 500 baht per month. Having complied with all the terms and conditions of the campaign (details can be obtained from the participating market operators), investors will be eligible to receive a promotional gift valued at 500 baht. Participating business operators are 22 investment management companies, 14 securities companies, 2 mutual fund brokerage securities companies, and 4 life insurance companies, the list of which can be viewed at: https://insight-fund.sec.or.th/. 

Ms. Waratchya Srimachand, SEC Deputy Secretary-General said in support of the campaign, “One of the SEC key strategic goals is to encourage people to save and invest in the capital market for their good financial health and long-term financial goals. We are of the view that the “Aom No.5” campaign, with the integrated efforts of the AIMC, investment management companies, mutual fund brokers, related associations, the SET and the SEC, can help not only facilitate public access to mutual fund investment with a small amount of money and have the investment funds managed by the professionals, but also build disciplined investing habits for consistent and continuous investment for long-term purposes. As such, the SEC is in support of the education and promotion of the campaign to the general public and do hope that the “Aom No.5” campaign will be another channel for public access to investment in the capital market.”

Dr. Rinjai Chakornpipat, SET Senior Executive Vice President added in support of the campaign, “The SET has continuously promoted expansion of mutual fund investor base. The “Aom No.5” campaign is another solid campaign that can raise public awareness, particularly of those working-aged new generation, about the importance of disciplined saving and investing. The SET will provide full support to the campaign, e.g., promoting mutual fund knowledge through various media, especially those digital ones. In this connection, the SET, in collaboration with the AIMC under the “Let the Money Work Through Mutual Fund” project, will organize the “Fund Wealth Fair” event at the SET Building on 17 September 2023, in which variety of educational activities on mutual fund investment will take place, including seminars, workshops and booth exhibition. The event participants will have a chance to obtain information and investment advice from the business operators and can start saving consistently and confidently with the “Aom No.5” campaign.” 

Mrs. Chavinda Hanratanakool, AIMC Chairperson, as the representative of investment management companies, gave an introduction to the “Aom No.5” campaign, “Mutual funds are appropriate saving and investment tools for Thai people. However, the 2022 statistics showed that there were only 1.7 million mutual fund unitholders in Thailand, a relatively low proportion compared to the country’s population. The AIMC therefore initiated the project with the concept being based upon “adequate savings for Thai people” and designed an investment tool that makes mutual fund investment easy to access and execute. With the key message, “Happy Saving with Aom No. 5 Campaign,” the campaign has arranged for facilitating conditions and processes to encourage beginners to start investing in mutual funds with expected successful outcomes, e.g. a small amount of initial investment, a streamlined and less time-consuming mutual fund account opening process, an encouragement for disciplined saving (DCA) for long-term goals, and a motivational premium to be received when fully complied with the terms and conditions of the campaign. It is anticipated that the success of the campaign will bring at least 20,000 new, quality, and disciplined investors to the capital market, constituting a strong long-term investor base for the future.”

Mr. Pichet Sithi-Amnuai, ASCO President said, “As the representative of securities companies that have played an important role in promoting long-term investment through securities, we are of the view that saving through mutual fund investment is a convenient way to save, particularly for those capital market investment beginners. At present, more than half of securities companies also provide mutual fund brokerage services and they will proactively contribute to the campaign by, for example, screening and selecting prominent mutual funds suitable for long-term saving and investing, providing consultation and advice on mutual fund investment, or co-sponsoring promotional gifts. We believe that the campaign can be another wealth accumulation means for the Thai people and help attract new investors into the market efficiently.”

Mr. Sara Lamsam, President of Thai Life Assurance Association shared his view, “Long-term investment through life insurance can help develop the capital market towards quality growth. With a view to providing Thai people with additional saving and investment choices and opportunities for higher long-term returns on investment, the association has emphasized the educational trainings on capital market products for employees in the insurance industry, so that they can give advice and design investment schemes for their clients using investment-linked insurance policies (ILPs), I.e. the unit-linked insurance plans more appropriately. We are confident that the “Aom No.5” campaign will further drive a continued growth of unit-linked insurance products among existing as well as new clients.”

The most extensive distribution channel for mutual funds is commercial banks, through their network of branches and mobile banking, easily accessible by the public and investors. Ms. Kittiya Todhanakasem, President of Thai Banking Academy (TBAC), the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) said, “With the emphasis given to knowledge development for bank employees, commercial banks have continuously trained their staff to become capable of giving advice on saving and investment choices that are suitable for their clients’ needs and risk profiles. The banks have also consistently promoted public knowledge and understanding about saving and investment. Commercial banks and the TBAC are therefore pleased to be part of this important campaign and would like to confirm our commitment to further help promote sound financial health among Thai people, through the network of bank branches, affiliated investment companies, with tens of thousands of investment consultants (ICs).”

Lastly, Mr. Chonladet Khemarattana, President of LBDU (limited brokerage, dealing and underwriting) Business Operators Club said in addition, “With the strengths of an LBDU that has available for sale a variety of funds issued by various investment management companies on one trading platform (Fund Supermart) and investment strategists to recommend mutual fund investment and portfolio design that is suitable for investor risk profiles, taking into consideration prominent funds from many investment management companies, the LBDU business operators are ready to lend a hand to the campaign in hope for successful outcomes.”