Ekniti revealed he has instructed the Finance Ministry to monitor the situation after the public complained about the conditions of the 'State Welfare Card' or 'Poor People's Card' that disqualify parents if their children claim tax deductions for elder care. He stressed the goal is to help those truly in need.
At 13:55 on 4 June 2026 GMT+7, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said at the Government House regarding the conditions of the State Welfare Card or the Poor People's Card, in response to questions about whether there will be a review, especially about disqualifying parents if their children claim tax deductions for supporting elderly parents. He was asked if the policy will not be changed this time but adjusted next time, and he said he is currently having the Finance Ministry monitor the situation. As he said, they need to survey eligibility to ensure assistance goes to those truly in need. At present, the Finance Ministry has tasked the Interior Ministry to conduct this survey.
Ekniti emphasized that the key point is to help those who are genuinely in distress and are not included in the State Welfare Card, as eligibility has not been reviewed for a long time. Therefore, they want to assist those truly in need first. He added that he will explain the conditions again in the future.