13.2 Million Welfare Card Holders Must Re-register on May 25: Here's What You Need to Know
Thailand's 13.2 million welfare card holders must re-register on May 25 to merge with a new government subsidy program that provides up to 1,000 baht monthly to eligible low-income families.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpong announced that the government will open new registrations for 13.2 million state welfare card holders on May 25, 2569, merging them with the Thailand Helps Thailand Plus program. Each person can hold only one type of benefit—either a welfare card or the subsidy program. The Finance Ministry will review eligibility using existing data and the standard criteria of annual income not exceeding 100,000 baht, plus asset requirements. The initiative aims to include previously excluded poor families while filtering out those whose economic status has improved.
Thailand Helps Thailand Plus is divided into two phases:
Phase 1 (June-July): Eligible participants receive 1,000 baht per month for 2 months (government covers 60%, beneficiary pays 40%). Welfare card holders receive their regular 300 baht plus 700 baht government subsidy, totaling 1,000 baht for 2 months.
Phase 2 (July-August): New welfare card data begins. Existing cardholders must re-register for verification since the last registration was 5 years ago. Those who qualify receive an additional 700 baht per month for 2 months. Those who don't qualify can still register to receive 60% government subsidy and pay 40% themselves.
