State Welfare Card 2026 (2569) [Thairath] News Voices of citizens losing eligibility from the poor people's card as new criteria contradict reality, highlighting unfairness toward debtors. Meanwhile, non-formal education students remain without solutions after losing benefits despite having to raise two children.
The screening system aims to help the poor, but why does it end up "pushing" genuinely needy people out of the welfare system? An in-depth look at the heartbreak of daily wage earners whose basic rights from the state have become a thing of the past.
Today, 20 July 2026, Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport; Mr. Ponpeer Suwanchawee, Deputy Minister of Interior; Mr. Naruetcha Khosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration; Mr. Winij Wisetsuwanphumi, spokesman for the Ministry of Finance; and Ms. Lalida Pertwiwatthana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, jointly held a press conference regarding appeals related to the State Welfare Card involving the Ministries of Transport and Interior.
Mr. Siripong addressed four main issues raised by citizens nationwide. The Ministry of Transport has formally requested the Ministry of Finance to reconsider the criteria. The Prime Minister is giving this issue high priority and plans to bring it to the Cabinet meeting, where the Ministry of Finance will propose adjustments to the screening criteria.
Thairath Online special task force We conducted field interviews with citizens losing their poor people's card eligibility in the Ekkachai-Bang Bon area of Bangkok, including elderly, disabled individuals, and students both within and outside the formal education system affected by the new screening round.
Ms. Pojanee Cheychoengkling, a merchant, said she lost eligibility because she has debts of over one hundred thousand baht from loans taken for business and cares for a bedridden patient. She feels this is unfair to debtors and wants the government to re-examine the criteria since people in debt remain in hardship.
Ms. Pinkaeo Phunpraserth, unemployed, said she previously received benefits but failed the new criteria for unclear reasons. She suffers from leg muscle weakness and has applied for disability benefits, but doctors said she does not qualify as she can partially care for herself. She also cares for two young children and wants her benefits restored because the state support provides her with two bags of rice per month.
Ms. Kannika Kunjun, unemployed, said she is disabled and lost benefits because her bank account shows over one hundred thousand baht in circulation, due to previously selling lottery tickets and receiving customer transfers. She has since stopped selling and only receives monthly disability payments. Her husband is currently the sole earner. She finds the appeal process difficult and hopes the government will approve her appeal.
Ms. Busaba Makboriboon, a non-formal student, said she failed to meet the criteria because she is a student. She assumed non-formal students would not lose eligibility, but after appealing, she found she was excluded. She used to buy necessities with the state-provided funds, which are now gone. She has two children and her partner is the sole breadwinner. She wants her benefits reinstated, feeling the decision was unfair.
Ms. Natthaporn Chantakian, a formal student, said she failed the criteria because she is a student, though she believes she should qualify since she has transportation and living expenses. She mainly buys essential goods, and without benefits, her expenses increase. Her family's income is insufficient. She feels the exclusion of students is unfair since many come from modest backgrounds and must support their own education, making state benefits critical.
She hopes the government will provide inclusive care for all citizens and raised concerns about the Thai Chua Thai Plus program, which requires those excluded from the State Welfare Card to register. If some citizens lack funds to top up their accounts, they may lose out. She urges the government to reconsider this issue.