Earning my CAIA designation in 2010 marked a pivotal moment in my career. While managing fixed-income portfolios in asset management company, CAIA provided me with a comprehensive understanding of alternative investments that proved invaluable during my transition from fund management to policy development.
The designation has been particularly crucial in my current role as Head of Capital Market Policy Research at SEC Thailand, where I develop and implement policies for emerging investment trends and innovative market-based regulation. The CAIA curriculum's forward-thinking approach has helped me stay ahead of market trends.
Being part of the global CAIA community has been instrumental in bridging local capital markets with international best practices. This network has been invaluable for knowledge exchange, particularly when representing SEC Thailand at international forums like the IOSCO Seminar in Spain and the Asia Pacific Hub Workshop in Malaysia.
The CAIA community provides a platform to share insights on emerging trends such as algorithmic trading and private market helping ensure our local market development aligns with global standards while addressing regional specificities.
One of my most transformative experiences has been serving as Chairman of SEC Thailand's Provident Fund Committee while simultaneously teaching fixed-income investment courses at various local universities. This dual role has allowed me to bridge the gap between theory and practice, applying CAIA's principles to both institutional portfolio management and academic instruction.
Recently, I led research on factor investing in Thai mutual funds, Finfluencer landscape in capital market and the impact of algorithmic trading to capital market, demonstrating how research can directly influence market development and policy formation.
For aspiring professionals, I strongly advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to financial markets. My journey from fund management to policy research has taught me that understanding both the practical and theoretical aspects of investments is crucial. Don't limit yourself to one area of expertise – the financial industry is increasingly interconnected.
The CAIA designation provides an excellent foundation, but continuous learning is key. Stay curious about emerging trends, whether it's ESG investing, digital assets, private market or market microstructure – these will shape the future of the industry. CAIA has been my bridge between fund management and policy-making, providing the comprehensive framework needed to develop forward-thinking capital market policies.
About Pongpit Pinsai, CAIA, FRM
Pongpit Pinsai is the Head of Research and Data Department at The Security and Exchange Commission of Thailand. As a head of capital market policy research and data at Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission, he leads critical research initiatives that shape capital market policies, with a focus on emerging trends such as digital assets, sustainable finance, private market and market microstructure. He has been a CAIA Member since 2010.