Villagers living in community forests complain about failing to register for the 2026 State Welfare Card due to assets being inaccurately recorded as exceeding limits. They appeal to the government to investigate and correct the data to resolve the public’s hardship.
On 17 Jul 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that after announcing the list of qualified applicants for the 2026 State Welfare Card registration, there was widespread criticism across many areas. Many people failed the eligibility check because the system indicated they owned assets and real estate beyond the program’s limits.
Field investigations revealed many villagers expressing concern and worry over these results. Most consistently stated that the data shown in the system were inaccurate and did not reflect reality.
Similarly, Ms. Pranee Ruenpaeng, 46, from Laplae District, Uttaradit Province, who makes a living collecting bamboo shoots to sell in the market and lives in an elevated wooden house in a community forest, said she is poor and does not possess the many assets the system reports. The finding that she supposedly owns more assets than she does has affected her eligibility for the State Welfare Card.
Ms. Pranee then showed reporters her only asset: one motorcycle. However, the government’s check indicated she also owns a car, causing her to fail the criteria. Others face similar issues; some are recorded as owning land despite owning nothing. They urge the responsible agencies to urgently review and correct the screening system to ensure fairness and quickly resolve the public’s distress.
