Siripong revealed that the Finance Ministry has requested to delay transferring state welfare card rights to the Cabinet after the Prime Minister ordered an extension of the appeal period and waived fees for rights verification. He added that the Prime Minister is not disheartened by criticism from the public, saying it is normal to be blamed by disappointed people.
At 12:00 PM on 21 July 2026 at the Government House, Siripong Angkasakulkit, Deputy Minister of Transport, disclosed that the Prime Minister instructed during the Cabinet meeting regarding the state welfare card. The Prime Minister wants to ensure the best care and convenience for the public, so he ordered the Ministry of Interior to organize appeal areas. For those unable to come in person, officials will conduct additional surveys.
Siripong stated that for the Ministry of Transport, the Prime Minister ordered the Department of Land Transport to similarly facilitate the public by identifying which laws allow fee exemptions, such as waiving fees for rights verification or for overdue vehicle registration renewals, including fees for back taxes. They must consider how to cancel these fees since they are governed by laws requiring a new registration system, which is part of the Prime Minister's directive.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance requested a delay in transferring the names of 6 million individuals who lost state welfare card rights to receive benefits from the Thai Chuey Thai Plus program. They are also revising vehicle ownership criteria to comprehensively review the Prime Minister's orders from all perspectives.
When asked if the Cabinet acknowledged the Ministry of Transport's proposal to waive new state welfare card criteria, Siripong said the Cabinet has acknowledged it, and the Ministry of Finance will review it. He urged the public to wait for the Cabinet's decision next week regarding eligibility timelines to avoid confusion, emphasizing the Prime Minister's order to extend the appeal submission period.
Asked whether a One Stop Service will be used to prevent the public from having to go to multiple offices, Siripong said normally the public do not need to travel as they can use shortcuts through Krungthai Bank, the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, and the Department of Land Transport. The new addition is to allow appeals at district offices, where mobile units will be sent to villages.
Siripong said those who have already lost their rights should wait for the Ministry of Finance to reconsider the criteria. Those who have not appealed yet have not forfeited their rights because the Cabinet decision has been postponed. Regarding criteria waivers related to vehicle ownership, the Ministry of Transport has already proposed them. He confirmed this is not shifting burdens onto the public but verifying each person's rights—something necessary though not previously implemented. The government is trying every way to help and facilitate the process to correct the data.
He acknowledged that information about rights transfers, such as vehicle ownership or unregistered transfers, may negatively affect people in the future because the property is no longer theirs, but the rights remain in their name. Those who misuse the property could implicate the original owner, so this is an opportunity to organize the system.
When asked if the Prime Minister feels concerned or disheartened by public criticism, Siripong said he does not understand why having issues is unusual. The state welfare card is a bold government initiative; naturally, those who gain are happy, and those disappointed will criticize. This happens with every registration. The question is, for the past 3-4 years, there was no new registration, so more than 2 million eligible people might have been excluded by old criteria. Meanwhile, some who appear wealthy on social media previously received benefits. This adjustment aims to create fairness and open opportunities for those truly eligible.
Therefore, the Prime Minister is not disheartened. The government is doing the right thing and confirms that the criteria use very little discretion and do not rely on community leaders' judgment. However, in practice, any overly strict criteria will be adjusted.