The "State Welfare Card" program began in 2017 under Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, with 14.6 million Thai citizens registering to ease living costs based on income criteria: those earning under 30,000 baht per year received 300 baht monthly, while those earning between 30,000 and 100,000 baht per year received 200 baht monthly.
In 2023, a rights review reduced beneficiaries to 13.20 million people, each receiving a uniform 300 baht monthly allowance. They also continued to receive subsidies for transportation, water, and electricity, totaling approximately 1,691.67 baht per month per cardholder.
In 2026, another review is underway, requiring existing beneficiaries to verify their identity between 4-21 June 2026. As of 19 June 2026, 12.44 million people have confirmed their status, leaving 730,000 who have yet to register. If registration closes on 21 June 2026 without their confirmation, their State Welfare Card will be considered cancelled by default.
Those without the State Welfare Card fall into two groups: the first group, totaling 1.04 million people, are listed with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security; the second group, not previously listed, currently has 5.17 million applicants. Anyone else who has been missed can still apply through local authorities—village heads, district offices in Bangkok, or Pattaya City—until 21 June 2026.
After the registration closes on 21 June 2026, all applicants' names will be screened against eligibility criteria, excluding the parental tax deduction condition, which is not applied this round. The eligibility conditions will be reviewed and submitted to the Cabinet before the official announcement of the qualifying list on 17 July 2026.
This screening aims to identify genuinely poor individuals and dispel criticisms that non-poor people receive the State Welfare Card. Given significant changes in circumstances without prior reviews, "nearly poor" individuals might in fact be poor, while former poor individuals might now be wealthy. Hence, reviews will occur every two years to ensure assistance is comprehensive, especially for vulnerable groups.
At the same time, budget must be managed prudently, as the program costs about 50 billion baht annually. Given the government's financial constraints, it is essential to maximize budget efficiency.
The State Welfare Card is not the only support; there are also universal health coverage, elderly allowances (600, 700, 800, 1000 baht monthly), disability allowances (800, 1000 baht monthly), newborn care subsidies of 600 baht monthly, and aid for those affected by unrest in the southern border provinces.
Overall, the government allocates 700-800 billion baht annually for social and state welfare, with an upward trend each year, especially elderly allowances, as Thailand transitions into a fully aging society.
Therefore, it is time for the government to strictly screen for truly poor individuals to target assistance effectively, making the best use of limited budget resources to promote sustainable economic and social development in Thailand.
Eligibility Criteria for State Welfare Card Beneficiaries
1. Must be a Thai national and at least 18 years old.
2. Must not be prohibited persons as follows:
6. Individuals with annual income or payments to others exceeding 100,000 baht.
7. Must not have credit cards.
8. Total credit lines from all loans must not exceed 100,000 baht.
9. Total deposits and lottery savings combined must not exceed 100,000 baht annually.
10. Must not own real estate exceeding specific limits: combined condominium area no more than 35 square meters; combined area of detached houses, townhouses, or shophouses no more than 25 square wah (100 square meters). For farmers, land and residence combined must not exceed 10 rai; for non-farmers, combined land and residence must not exceed 1 rai.
11. Must not own vehicles except motorcycles with engine capacity not exceeding 300 cc, three-wheeled cars, small four-wheeled taxis, or agricultural vehicles—each type limited to one vehicle.
Going forward, it remains to be seen how the "true poverty screening" progresses and how effectively the State Welfare Card will address economic inequality and ease the financial burdens of low-income citizens.
For further economic and government policy information, follow ThairathMoney at
Follow the Facebook page Thairath Money at this link: https://www.facebook.com/ThairathMoney