A woman from Buriram broke down in tears after losing eligibility for the new round of the “State Welfare Card.” She had hoped to rely on it to reduce her family’s financial burden and pleaded with the Prime Minister and the government to urgently assist and reconsider the criteria so that the poor may receive their entitlements.
On 17 July 2026, reporters reported that after the Ministry of Finance announced the eligibility results for the 2026 State Welfare Card registration project nationwide starting at 06:00 via four main channels, many registered citizens, both previous and new, began visiting the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).
Especially at the BAAC Lam Plai Mat branch in Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram Province, dozens of former beneficiaries of the State Welfare Card program came to inquire with staff to verify their eligibility for the new round, with some approved and many failing the qualification check.
Many former beneficiaries who were disqualified and excluded from the new round were informed by the system that they owned assets, farmland, had debts exceeding limits, or possessed vehicles registered in their name—claims that many denied as untrue.
In particular, some were said to own vehicles despite never having owned one in their lives, lacking farmland, and having no occupation or income. Others admitted to owning an old vehicle, but it was an aged model used for over 20 to 30 years.
Mrs. Niphawan Danprom, 65, from Hin Khon Subdistrict, Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram Province, was brought to tears and sobbed immediately after being informed that she failed the eligibility check and would not receive the new State Welfare Card. For villagers, the welfare card is their only support to help ease family expenses.
She folded her hands in a wai and begged the Prime Minister and government to help her, saying she has nothing and is deeply saddened by losing the benefit she once had, causing her distress because she had hoped the money would significantly ease her family’s expenses.
"It’s a heavy feeling in my chest, wondering why truly poor people don’t get it. I have nothing at all. I beg you," Mrs. Niphawan said as she prayed with folded hands and cried, asking sacred powers for help.
Mrs. Somnuek Sunram, 65, from Khok Klang Village, Khok Klang Subdistrict, Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram Province, said she was a previous beneficiary but lost eligibility because she was marked as owning a vehicle. In reality, she never owned a vehicle nor farmland, and she does not understand why she was said to own a car.
She urged the government to verify the facts because many truly poor people were disqualified despite owning nothing, no farmland or rice fields, and currently renting land to farm. Being disqualified is unfair to the villagers.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Dokrak Sutthasai, 50, from Khok Klang Village, Khok Klang Subdistrict, Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram Province, said she has never received the State Welfare Card benefits despite applying every time. This time, she was denied eligibility because she was marked as owning a vehicle, although she only owns two old motorcycles and no farmland or cars. She remains puzzled about when she supposedly acquired a car.
She hopes to receive the benefits because she personally owns no assets or land. She urges the government to reconsider and help truly poor people, questioning how it was determined that she owns a vehicle when she never has.