The Finance Ministry is revising the criteria to reinstate State Welfare Card rights for owners of old vehicles, non-regular students, individuals listed in community support organizations, and those with securities accounts that have no transactions or low value, to be proposed to the Cabinet for consideration this Monday.
On 23 July 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Winij Wisesuwanphumi, Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) and spokesperson for the Finance Ministry, alongside representatives from the Department of Business Development, Department of Land Transport, Department of Learning Promotion, Department of Provincial Administration, Bank of Thailand, and the Thailand Securities Depository Co., Ltd., announced the outcomes of the meeting of the State Welfare Committee for Grassroots Economic and Social Welfare chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Akiniti Nitithanprapas.
Mr. Winij stated that the committee has approved improvements and relaxation of conditions for the State Welfare Registration Project. This is aimed at assisting and alleviating hardships for citizens affected by previous eligibility limitations and data inaccuracies. The entire process focuses on genuinely supporting those in need without requiring them to travel and file complaints in person. The full details will be submitted to the Cabinet meeting for approval on Monday (27 July 2026 GMT+7).
Initially, the key revised criteria cover three main areas, including vehicles, students, and having names listed as company directors, as well as requests to review securities account eligibility.
Regarding the review of vehicle and motorcycle conditions, which previously disqualified applicants owning cars or motorcycles, it was found from appeals that many people face issues with unrecorded ownership transfers, vehicles declared unusable, or unauthorized use without their knowledge—cases that could not be foreseen before assessment.
The committee thus decided to provisionally reinstate eligibility in these cases, especially for vehicles over 20 years old and motorcycles over 15 years old, mostly old, dilapidated vehicles of low value left unused at home.
It was emphasized that only vehicles of low value will be eligible for reinstatement of the State Welfare Card. Motorcycle ownership is allowed for up to two vehicles, with the condition that one must be under installment payment.
Data shows that since 2018, more than 2.5 million State Welfare Card holders have registered new or used vehicles, and these individuals will definitely be disqualified from receiving the State Welfare Card rights, unless they can prove cases of unusable vehicles, unrecorded transfers, or unauthorized use.
Mr. Sorapong Paitoonpong, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, stated that those with unpaid vehicle taxes do not need to pay first and can appeal for State Welfare Card eligibility immediately.
Ms. Ketsadee Supawanich, Director-General of the Department of Learning Promotion, said, for approximately 267,000 non-regular students under the Social Security Office’s care, exemptions and reinstatements of the State Welfare Card will be considered if only one disqualifying criterion applies. Other criteria, such as income and assets held, will still be reviewed. It is expected that about 100,000 low-income individuals will regain eligibility in this group.
Mr. Poonpong Nainapakon, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, said that the committee resolved to exempt and reinstate rights for those listed as members of social enterprise companies, Pracharath Rak Samakkhi companies, and community enterprises, which are organizations established to assist communities without profit motives. It is estimated that around 15,000 people will benefit from this group.
Overall, among the State Welfare Card registrants, there are 122,324 individuals listed as directors, shareholders, or partners in 139,804 juristic persons. Some individuals hold positions in multiple entities, with over 10,000 people involved in two or more legal entities, and one person is listed as director or shareholder in as many as 126 companies. The Department of Business Development will investigate these details and forward cases with suspicious or nominee characteristics to law enforcement for further action.
The Department of Business Development confirmed it will open channels for the public to provide explanations and additional information at its offices and the 76 provincial commerce offices, allowing officials to verify how individuals became directors, shareholders, or partners. Coordination with the Department of Provincial Administration will establish criteria and allow submissions or explanations via district offices.
Regarding securities accounts that are open without transactions or have low value, overseen by the Thailand Securities Depository (TSD) and Bank of Thailand, the Finance Ministry has decided to exempt these from disqualification criteria as they do not contradict the original intent.
/ Currently, about 3.4 million people nationwide have filed appeals, with 40% related to vehicle issues. The Finance Ministry emphasizes that all measures aim to assist those genuinely in need without requiring them to travel to central offices, while wealthier individuals or those with high-value assets, including recent vehicle buyers, will be disqualified strictly under existing regulations.