Not sure where to start when it comes to investing? The truth is, everyone can build wealth—even without experience or a lot of capital. One simple and suitable approach is investing through mutual funds, a tool that helps us access the world of investing with ease.

So what exactly is a mutual fund? Simply put, it’s like pooling money from many people and having experts (fund managers) manage that money so it can grow—so you don’t have to buy individual stocks one by one or study debt instruments yourself. When you invest, your money becomes “investment units,” and its value changes according to the performance of all the assets the fund holds. This is called NAV (Net Asset Value), and it is announced at the end of every business day.

The best thing about mutual funds is that they are suitable for almost everyone—whether you’re a beginner with no knowledge, someone who doesn’t have time to follow the market, or even someone who wants to diversify risk. Mutual funds help us invest in a wide variety of asset types with not very much money.

Mutual funds come in many types, depending on how much risk you want to take. Money market funds carry the lowest risk and are suitable for parking cash. Bond funds are for those who want returns higher than bank deposits but don’t want to take as much risk as stocks. Equity funds are suitable for investors with a long time horizon who can tolerate volatility. For those who are unsure, hybrid funds allow managers to adjust their investment allocation according to market conditions.

In 2569, when the global economy is expected to be volatile but there will also be growth opportunities in the second half of the year, one megatrend to keep an eye on is AI—driving demand for energy, clean energy, and technology. That’s why ESG technology funds and dividend stock funds are especially interesting in this period.

If you want steady dividend income, Thai Panich Equity Income Open Fund (SCBDV) or Krungsri Equity Income Open Fund (KFSDIV) are good options. Both focus on stocks with strong fundamentals and pay dividends consistently.

For those who want to ride the technology wave, KETAM World Technology Artificial Intelligence Equity Open Fund (KT-WTAI-A) or Bualuang Global Innovation and Technology Open Fund (B-INNOTECH) invest in leading technology companies worldwide that directly benefit from AI. If you believe Vietnam will grow by leaps and bounds, Principal Vietnam Equity A Open Fund (PRINCIPAL VNEQ-A) is an option for emerging markets.

For those who want a safe haven from volatility, Krungthai Short-Term Bond Plus Open Fund (KTSTPLUS-A) offers steady returns with low risk. Meanwhile, TISCO Flexible Plus Open Fund (TISCOFLEXP) lets the fund manager adjust strategies according to market conditions.

If you care about sustainability, Krungsri ESG Climate Tech Open Fund (KFCLIMA-A) invests in companies that solve climate-related problems. K-G Global Healthcare Open Fund (K-GHEALTH) invests in healthcare businesses that are necessary in every economic environment. Asset Plus Sustainable Thai Equity Open Fund (ASP-THAIESG) focuses on Thai stocks with good governance.

Choosing a mutual fund must start with understanding yourself first. What are your goals? How many years is your time horizon? How much risk can you tolerate? After that, look at the investment policy, past performance, and most importantly, check the fees (TER). Even if it’s only 1% per year, over 20-30 years it can lead to a very large difference in your final returns.

Mutual funds are not just tools for beginners, but are suitable for everyone who wants to build long-term wealth in a systematic way. In 2569, which is full of challenges and opportunities, aligning your mutual fund portfolio with the world’s megatrends will be the key to building wealth.