Offroad Opens Up About Hardship, From Poverty to Success
Entertainment and finance enthusiast Offroad Kantatapan overcame childhood poverty and family rejection to build a successful career, crediting his finance background and belief in compound interest as keys to transforming his life.
Offroad Kantatapan Jindataveepon has opened up about his difficult past—a bankrupt household, walking 10 kilometers to sell papaya salad, and times when his family couldn't afford rice. Relatives looked down on him, but he channeled that pain into the resolve to change his life. He also reveals what keeps him and Tah-Oo together after five years, despite their opposite personalities.
In an interview on Woody Talk, Offroad reflected on his journey: "I've learned and grown so much. I wasn't someone who entered the entertainment industry from the start. I was quite introverted and studied finance—academics all the way. I never knew anything about singing and dancing. But now I'm in this field doing vocals, dance, and acting. It's like opening a new world, learning everything from scratch. It's been quite challenging."
When asked whether he leans introvert or extrovert, he answered: "I'm an introvert."
On logic versus emotion, he said: "Logic. I'm drawn to compound interest, which is why I chose to study finance. One person's life can transform through compound interest. I wanted to know how to build wealth and what steps lead to that path."
Explaining compound interest simply: "It's like a game. Say you have 100 baht and earn 2% interest—that's 2 baht, giving you 102. Next year, 2% applies to 102, becoming 104, 106, 108 baht, growing continuously. That's compound interest in its simplest form."
On the dangers of financial ignorance: "It's terrifying. Inflation will eat away at your money without you realizing. You think you have a million baht and feel rich, but you're not. Twenty years ago, fried rice and egg cost 20 baht. With 100 baht, you could buy five plates. Today, that 100 baht might buy only two. You're buying less, becoming poorer. Eventually, that million baht might not buy anything. You're not rich—inflation is quietly destroying your wealth. Without investing today and harnessing compound interest, your future is genuinely frightening."
On inequality in Thai society: "The wealth gap in our country is scarier every day. It's widening significantly. Information doesn't reach everyone equally. Some people have access to fast data, others slow data. The distribution isn't fair."
On taking his first brave step: "I believe a good mindset improves life. To surpass your past self, you must dare to act and push through fear. I was terrified because I'm a perfectionist. I didn't want to do things I wasn't good at in front of many people—I felt ashamed. But when you have no choice, you find courage to try and fight. When the reward is worth it, it truly is. Starting a business is risky. Not knowing your future is uncertain. But succeeding brings immense joy and fulfillment."
