The Prime Minister has ordered that the people's hardships be the main focus. The Ministry of Finance is preparing to bring a review of the "State Welfare Card" conditions to the Cabinet meeting this Monday (27 July) to ensure genuine poor individuals receive assistance.
25 July 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek The spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office revealed that Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has been following and listening to public criticism regarding the 2026 State Welfare Card registration project. He instructed the Ministry of Finance to expedite the project after more than 9.3 million registrants were disqualified and had their rights revoked. He directed the Ministry of Finance to take public concerns and the hardships of the people as the main issue to revise and review the program's conditions to align with the current economic reality, and to present this for discussion at the Cabinet meeting on Monday, 27 July.
Ms. Ratchada further stated that the government intends for the State Welfare Card registration project to provide opportunities for truly poor citizens to receive government assistance, reduce living expenses, and create life stability.
The target groups of the project include those eligible under the program's criteria, the overlooked, and vulnerable groups as surveyed and listed by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. The key principle is to ensure assistance reaches those in need directly, while managing the limited budget efficiently to benefit those most in need. For citizens in distress, the government also has other projects to provide assistance.
The Ministry of Finance has extended the benefit usage period for State Welfare Card holders until 30 September 2026, extended from the original 31 July 2026, and extended the eligibility review period until 31 August 2026, instead of ending on 31 July 2026. All beneficiaries who qualify under the 2026 program will start receiving benefits together on 1 October 2026.