Young thais learn about Hong Kong and money

This month, six Hong Kong businesses welcomed nine Thai winners of the Money Management Ambassador contest and Young Researcher Competition (YRC) 2007 for a tour of their premises and introduction to their operations and products.

"To visit Hong Kong I've learned some things I couldn't have any chance to study in my classroom. People here are very active in managing their personal financial investments, especially stock trading, which is much different from Thais," said T-Tutt Jungkankul, 23, winner of the YRC 2007's market for alternative investment.

T-Tutt said Hong Kong schooled its children in basic financial content and encouraging them to get interested in investment, which impressed him. He wants to see a similar approach adopted in Thailand.

The Thais learnt about Hong Kong's insurance business from Fortis Insurance (Asia) and stock trading from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing.

The Securities and Futures Commission briefed the youths on its responsibilities, including how it protects the securities and derivatives markets, reduces crime and misconduct among investors, and how it educates the public on industry and investment.

KGI Securities (Hong Kong) taught the youngsters about its brokerage services.

They had a visit to HSBC Hong Kong to learn about its financial-management and financial-advisory services with a tour of its Commercial and Personal Banking and Wealth Management departments and a trip to the Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong, to observe how financial planners work.

The winners were also entertained by a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland and city tours to admire Hong Kong's scenery.

"This project was held to encourage more youths to pay attention to financial investment and we hope they will be able to deal with investment and manage their personal finances properly when they grow up," said Rachada Pumsuwan, vice president of communications for Muang Thai Life Assurance's Corporate Department. The company was one of the project's main sponsors.

"We also want to produce more personnel for financial investment in Thailand," he said.

"for the visit to Hong Kong, we wanted the youths to know more about the investment culture and perspectives of investors here, and also the importance of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, so that they will be able to compare that to Thailand. It will be useful for them when they decide to invest in the future," he said.