Just started interested in investing in stocks, and I’ve encountered many things to understand before investing.

Friends keep asking me how much money is needed to start trading stocks.
So I want to share the knowledge I’ve gathered.

First, you need to understand the types of stock accounts available.
The Cash Balance account is the best choice for beginners because it’s very simple.
You can buy only with the amount of money you have; no complicated thinking needed.
The Cash Account requires a 20% deposit and transferring the money within 3 days after purchase.
If it’s a Margin account, it’s more suitable for experienced investors because you can borrow money from the broker, but there are many conditions.

Regarding the initial capital, it depends on the stock price you want to buy.
The Thai Stock Exchange sets a minimum of 100 shares per order.
If OR stock is priced at 20.50 baht, you need 2,050 baht plus commission.
If PTT stock is 50 baht, you need at least 5,000 baht.
The amount isn’t very large, but you should calculate the fees carefully.

For those with limited funds, you can now buy odd lots.
You can buy starting from 1 share, not waiting until 100 shares.
But for simplicity, using 100 shares as a minimum is a good idea.

Another option is CFD (Contract for Difference).
If you want to trade foreign stocks with less money, CFDs offer leverage.
You can trade both upward and downward trends.
The fees are lower, but the risk is higher.
In CFD trading, you can start with just a few thousand baht.

But most importantly, you should use money that you can afford to lose, not money needed for daily life.
Choose a trustworthy broker because this is your own money.
How much money to start with isn’t the main point.
The main point is: are you prepared?