Legend of Mutual Funds: The Average for the Year 2026 That Thai Investors Need to Know

“It seems that investing is very complicated” — This is a common opinion among those just starting their journey in the world of finance. But the truth is completely different. No matter how much experience you have or how much capital you possess, everyone can definitely write their own wealth story through mutual funds.

In Thailand, major banks such as SCB, Krungsri, and others each have their own mutual fund management companies. They offer a variety of investment tools to meet investors’ needs.

Today, we will take you on a journey to explore the mysteries of mutual funds, make smart decisions when choosing funds, and select from 10 promising funds in 2026 so you can use this knowledge to build a strong investment portfolio.

What is a mutual fund? An easy answer for beginners

To visualize clearly, think of a mutual fund as a “group of investors.” Many individuals pool their money into a large fund, which is then entrusted to knowledgeable professionals — Fund Managers (Fund Manager) — operating under the umbrella of a fund management company (Fund Management Company).

This person has only one mission: to invest this money in various assets according to a long-term plan. When you put money into a fund, it is converted into Units (Units). The value of each unit is called NAV (Net Asset Value) or Net Asset Value.

This NAV is calculated and disclosed at the end of each trading day. It reflects the performance of all assets owned by the fund. If the assets increase in value, the NAV indicates that “your assets have grown” — and that is your profit.

Who should invest in mutual funds? For whom? Everyone!

The direct answer: Almost everyone — from young investors with only a few thousand baht saved, to executives with substantial funds.

New investors — These people often lack the skills to analyze individual stocks, but through mutual funds, they will have a “consultant” on their journey.

Those with limited time — Anyone busy with work and unable to follow daily economic news will be automatically taken care of by the fund manager.

Risk diversifiers — The risk associated with investing in a single stock can be reduced through mutual funds.

Tax benefits seekers — Some types of funds (SSF, RMF, ThaiESG) help you get tax deductions.

Additionally, with the total investment value of the fund, managers can negotiate and access opportunities that retail investors cannot, such as limited IPOs or private bonds.

Types of mutual funds available: Choose the class that suits you

The universe of mutual funds is very diverse, depending on investment goals and risk tolerance.

By Asset Class

Money Market (Money Market Fund) — Lowest risk, savings deposits, short-term debt instruments, ideal for cash holdings.

Fixed Income (Fixed Income Fund) — Low to moderate risk, mainly government bonds and corporate bonds, with fixed returns.

Equity/Stocks (Equity Fund) — High risk, but with the potential for the highest long-term returns.

Hybrid (Hybrid Fund) — Managers adjust the proportion of stocks and bonds based on market conditions, very flexible.

Alternative Assets (Alternative Investment Fund) — Gold, oil, real estate, very high risk.

By Special Policy

Index/ETF (Index & Exchange Traded Fund) — Tracking SET50 or S&P500 indices, low fees.

Industry Sector (Sector Fund) — Technology, medical, energy; very high risk but high returns.

Foreign Investment (Foreign Investment Fund - FIF) — Opens the door to global markets: USA, China, Europe.

Tax Reduction — SSF, RMF, ThaiESG with holding conditions but offering tax benefits.

Quick Comparison Table

How to select the right fund: A reliable system

With thousands of funds in the market, choosing one might seem like finding a needle in a haystack. But with a process, it’s doable.

First Step: Know Yourself

Before searching for funds outside, answer these questions:

• What is the purpose of investing? — Retirement? Buying a house? Education? Different goals require different funds.
• How long will you hold? — Long-term = higher risk = higher potential returns.
• How much volatility can you tolerate? — Will you sleep well if your portfolio drops 20%? This is a risk assessment.

Second Step: Study the fund policy

Read the Fund Fact Sheet or Prospectus to see:

• What assets are invested in? Which countries?
• Active or passive investment strategy
• Risk ratio

Third Step: Deep analysis

Compare funds with similar policies:

• Past performance — Compare with benchmark (Benchmark) and other funds in the group.
• Maximum Drawdown — How much was the biggest loss? Indicates potential pain.
• Sharpe Ratio — Return per unit of risk; higher is better.
• TER (Total Expense Ratio) — A 1% difference can mean 10-30% over 20-30 years.

Which bank is good? 10 mutual funds to watch in 2026

Before listing, understand the overall economic outlook:

“Two phases of the year” — The first half of 2026 may face volatility, but the second half is expected to recover.

Connected megatrends — AI demands energy; energy needs infrastructure; all depend on chips.

Based on this analysis, we selected 10 funds aligned with future trends.

Thai Dividend Equity Fund

1. SCB Thai Equity Dividend Fund (SCBDV)

• Type: Thai dividend stocks
• Manager: SCB Asset Management (SCBAM)
• Policy: Invest in large SET stocks with strong fundamentals and regular dividends. Sectors: energy, retail, banking.
• History: Consistent dividend payer, well-known for a long time.
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Those seeking passive income.

2. Krungsri Dividend Equity Fund (KFSDIV)

• Type: Thai dividend stocks
• Manager: Krungsri Asset Management (KSAM)
• Policy: High dividend yield, mixed with small/medium stocks for growth potential.
• History: Long dividend history.
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Those aiming for both dividend income and capital growth.

Foreign Equity Funds

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

• Type: Foreign stocks (AI)
• Manager: KTAM
• Policy: Feeder fund investing via Allianz Global AI, focusing on AI companies worldwide.
• Performance: Outstanding during AI stock surge.
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Long-term AI potential believers.

4. Bualuang Global Innovation Fund (B-INNOTECH)

• Type: Foreign tech stocks (Technology)
• Manager: BBL Asset Management
• Policy: Feeder investing via Fidelity Funds - Global Tech, covering Cloud, E-commerce, Fintech.
• Performance: Reputable.
• Risk: 7 (Very high)
• Suitable for: Those wanting exposure to global technology.

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

• Type: Vietnam stocks
• Manager: Principal Asset Management
• Policy: Active fund selecting high-growth stocks: banks, retail, tech.
• History: Pioneer fund with a notable track record.
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Investors seeking high returns in emerging markets.

Bond Funds

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

• Type: Short-term bonds
• Manager: KTAM
• Policy: Invest in quality bonds with an average maturity under 1 year.
• Performance: Steady returns.
• Risk: 4 (Moderate to low)
• Suitable for: Risk-averse investors wanting to park funds.

Flexible Hybrid Funds

7. TISCO Flexible Fund (TISCOFLEXP)

• Type: Flexible (Hybrid)
• Manager: TISCO Asset Management
• Policy: Adjust stock-bond ratio from 0-100% based on market outlook.
• Performance: Active management with interesting results.
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Those trusting the fund manager’s skill.

Thematic Funds

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

• Type: Foreign stocks (ESG/Climate)
• Manager: KSAM
• Policy: Feeder investing via DWS Invest ESG Climate Tech, focusing on clean energy, EVs.
• Performance: New theme aligned with trends.
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Long-term sustainability believers.

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

• Type: Foreign stocks (Health)
• Manager: KAsset
• Policy: Feeder investing via JPMorgan Global Healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medtech, service providers.
• Performance: Reputable.
• Risk: 7 (Very high)
• Suitable for: Defensive growth seekers.

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

• Type: Thai stocks (ThaiESG)
• Manager: Asset Plus
• Policy: Active selection of Thai ESG stocks according to SET criteria.
• Performance: Experienced management.
• Risk: 6 (High)
• Suitable for: Those wanting Thai investment + sustainability + tax benefits.

Pros and Cons: Know the facts before investing

Advantages

• Diversification: Small amount of money can access various assets.
• Professional management: No need to follow daily market.
• High liquidity: Can buy/sell every trading day.
• Easy entry: Starting from hundreds or thousands Baht.
• Variety: From low to high risk, suitable options available.

Disadvantages

• Fees: Deducted from returns, affecting long-term growth.
• No direct control: Decisions made by managers.
• Manager risk: Poor decisions lead to underperformance.
• Tax: 10% withholding tax on dividends; capital gains mostly tax-exempt.

Mutual fund fees: Hidden locations

Expenses are divided into two parts:

Part 1: Deducted directly from investors

• Sales fee: Charged at purchase, e.g., 1.5% on 10,000 Baht results in 9,850 Baht net.
• Redemption fee: Deducted upon sale (less common).
• Switching fee: When transferring between funds.

Part 2: Hidden in NAV

• Management fee: Paid to fund manager.
• Custodian fee: Bank’s fee for safekeeping.
• Registrar fee: Record-keeping of unit holders.

Total expense ratio (TER) is the key figure to compare.

A 1% difference over a year can translate into 10-30% difference over 20-30 years.

Closing remarks

Mutual funds have proven to be powerful tools. For 2026 — a year of challenges and opportunities — choosing funds aligned with global megatrends will be the key to the future.

Past performance does not guarantee future results, but a systematic selection process — knowing yourself, studying policies, deep analysis — will help you make smart decisions.

The investment journey doesn’t have to be complicated when you have a “map” in hand.