Invest in mutual funds wisely: How to choose for effective results in 2026

“Want to increase wealth but confused about where to start”—this is a common question many people ask. The truth is, regardless of your experience and capital, everyone can own various assets through mutual funds, which are the real investment vehicle for individuals.

What is a mutual fund: Your personal financial advisor

To clearly visualize, Mutual Fund (Mutual Fund) is a pooling of money from many investors to form a large fund. This fund is managed by a professional called “fund manager”, operating under a fund management company (FMC), who invests the pooled money in various assets according to a predetermined strategy.

When you invest money, your funds become “unit trusts” (Units), each with a value called NAV (Net Asset Value) or “Net Asset Value”. This number is calculated and announced at the end of each trading day, showing whether the assets held by the fund have increased or decreased in value. If NAV rises, your profit increases accordingly.

Who should invest in mutual funds

Mutual funds are suitable for these people:

• Beginners with no deep knowledge: Instead of confusing yourself trying to do it alone, let experts manage your money.
• Busy people who cannot follow the market: Fund managers monitor market changes on your behalf.
• Those who want to diversify risk: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”—mutual funds spread different eggs across various baskets.
• Tax-saving investors: Certain types of funds, such as SSF, RMF, or ThaiESG, offer tax benefits.

Types of mutual funds

Categorized by asset class

1. Money Market (Money Market): Lowest risk, for short-term savings
2. Bond Funds (Bond Funds): Low to moderate risk, steady returns
3. Equity (Equity): High risk, but good profit opportunities
4. Hybrid (Hybrid): Adjustable proportions based on market conditions
5. Alternative Assets: Gold, real estate, for experienced investors

Categorized by special policy

• Index (Index Fund): Tracks an index, low fees
• Sector Funds (Sector Fund): Focus on a single industry
• Foreign (FIF): Invests in foreign markets
• Tax benefits: SSF, RMF, ThaiESG

Comparison table of fund types

How to choose the right fund

1. Know yourself first

Answer these 3 questions:

• What is your goal? Retirement? Buying a car? Education fund?
• When will you need the money? The longer the horizon, the more risk you can take.
• How much risk can you tolerate? Can you sleep if your investment drops 20%?

2. Study the fund’s policy

Read the Fund Fact Sheet to see:

• What assets are invested in
• Which countries are targeted
• Whether the strategy is Active or Passive

3. Analyze the numbers deeply

• Past performance: Compare with benchmarks and other funds in the same group (but remember: past performance ≠ future results)
• Maximum Drawdown: The largest loss in the past; are you prepared?
• Sharpe Ratio: Return per unit of risk; higher is better
• Fees (TER): The lower, the better

10 mutual funds to watch in 2569

Economic overview for 2569

The year 2569 may be divided into two periods: the first half is volatile due to trade wars, and the second half recovers as economic stimulus measures start to show results. Key megatrends include AI (which increases energy demand) and clean energy.

Thai dividend equity funds: Hold steady amid volatility

1. SCB Thai Equity Dividend Fund (SCBDV)

• Asset Management: SCBAM
• Type: Thai dividend stocks
• Strategy: Invest in large-cap SET stocks with consistent dividends (Energy, retail, banking)
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Those seeking cash flow (Passive Income) and can tolerate volatility

2. Krungsri Dividend Equity Fund (KFSDIV)

• Asset Management: KSAM
• Type: Thai dividend stocks
• Strategy: Mix of large, medium, and small-cap stocks to enhance growth potential
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Investors wanting more growth than just dividends

International equity funds: Catch the global trend

3. KTAM World Technology Artificial Intelligence Fund (KT-WTAI-A)

• Asset Management: KTAM
• Type: Foreign AI stocks (Feeder Fund)
• Strategy: Invest via Allianz Global Artificial Intelligence in AI companies worldwide
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Believers in AI, long-term investment, high risk tolerance

4. Bualuang Global Innovation & Technology Fund (B-INNOTECH)

• Asset Management: BBLAM
• Type: Foreign tech stocks (Feeder Fund)
• Strategy: Through Fidelity Global Technology in cloud, e-commerce, fintech, big tech companies
• Risk: 7 (Very high)
• Suitable for: Those seeking tech diversification and aggressive growth

5. Principal Vietnam Equity Fund A (PRINCIPAL VNEQ-A)

• Asset Management: Principal
• Type: Direct Vietnam stocks (Active)
• Strategy: Select high-growth Vietnamese stocks (Banks, retail, tech)
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Investors wanting to enter emerging markets with leapfrog growth potential

Bond funds: Defensive shield

6. KT Short-Term Bond Plus Fund (KTSTPLUS-A)

• Asset Management: KTAM
• Type: Short-term bonds
• Strategy: Quality short-term bonds, average maturity under 1 year
• Risk: 4 (Moderate to low)
• Suitable for: Conservative investors, short-term needs, or as a buffer in your portfolio

Flexible hybrid funds: Weathering the storm

7. TISCO Flexible Plus Fund (TISCOFLEXP)

• Asset Management: TISCO AM
• Type: Flexible hybrid
• Strategy: Adjust stock, bond, and other assets from 0-100% based on market outlook
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Trusts the manager, wants flexibility, doesn’t want to time the market

( Thematic funds: Investing in new trends

)# 8. Krungsri ESG Climate Tech Fund ###KFCLIMA-A###

• Asset Management: KSAM
• Type: Foreign ESG stocks (Feeder Fund)
• Strategy: Via DWS ESG Climate Tech in companies solving climate issues (Clean energy, EV, energy saving)
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Believers in sustainability, seeking growth from environmental solutions

(# 9. K-Global Healthcare Fund )K-GHEALTH###

• Asset Management: KAsset
• Type: Foreign healthcare stocks (Feeder Fund)
• Strategy: Via JPMorgan Global Healthcare in pharma, medtech, global medical services
• Risk: 7 (Very high)
• Suitable for: Those seeking “defensive” growth—businesses resilient through good and bad times

(# 10. Asset Plus Thai Sustainable Equity Fund )ASP-THAIESG###

• Asset Management: Asset Plus
• Type: Thai ESG stocks (Active)
• Strategy: Select Thai stocks with strong ESG profiles according to SET ESG Rating
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Investors wanting quality Thai stocks with sustainability focus and tax benefits

Pros and cons of mutual funds you should know

( Advantages

• Diversification: Small amounts can access a wide range of assets
• Expert management: Leave it to professionals, just monitor
• High liquidity: Can sell every business day
• Low minimum investment: Many funds start from hundreds or thousands
• Variety: Funds suited for every personality

) Disadvantages

• Fees: Deducted from returns
• Lack of control: Managers decide on your behalf
• Manager risk: Poor decisions by managers can hurt your investment
• Tax burden: Dividends are taxed at 10%, capital gains are tax-exempt

Fund fees: Hidden numbers

Visible fees

• Sales charge: When buying ###e.g., 1.5% = invest 10,000, net amount is 9,850###
• Redemption fee: When selling (less common now)
• Switching fee: Changing funds within the same fund management company

( Hidden fees )deducted from NAV

• Management fee: Paid to the fund manager
• Custodian fee: Paid to the bank for safekeeping
• Registrar fee: For record-keeping

All combined, called Total Expense Ratio ###TER(—this is the number you should compare. A 1% difference per year can amount to tens of percent over 20-30 years!

Conclusion: mutual funds and the future

Mutual funds have proven themselves as tools for both beginners and experts. In 2569, filled with challenges and opportunities, portfolio management aligned with megatrends—from AI to clean energy, healthcare, and sustainability—will be key to building wealth.

Investing in mutual funds isn’t complicated if you know how: discover yourself, choose the right type, analyze the numbers. The most important question is which fund to buy—answer with understanding, not just following trends. Then, your money will grow over time, gradually but surely.