Ex-Pheu Thai Spokesman Urges Review of Poor Card Eligibility Criteria

Former Pheu Thai Party spokesman Porampon Nopurit has raised alarm over data inconsistencies in the state welfare card eligibility verification, which has resulted in many citizens being disqualified. While he acknowledges that verification is necessary for fair and transparent aid distribution, fieldwork and public feedback across the country reveal numerous cases where data does not match reality, causing eligible people to lose their chance at support. He is urging the government to expedite a comprehensive review of criteria, improve the database, and facilitate appeals to ensure assistance reaches the truly disadvantaged fairly and widely.

Porampon highlighted specific problems including vehicle ownership data that doesn't reflect current reality—some people no longer own cars listed in their names, or sold vehicles without updating registration. Others were disqualified because children's names were fraudulently claimed as dependents for tax deductions, raising fears that genuinely struggling citizens are falling through the cracks.

Feedback from across multiple provinces shows many applicants are devastated, with some in tears upon learning their disqualification. Although the government extended the appeals deadline to July 31, practical barriers persist: traveling to agencies, obtaining documents, and gathering evidence require time and money that poor, elderly, and remote-area residents often cannot afford.

Porampon warned that without urgent action to review criteria, update data, and ease appeals, potentially millions of eligible citizens could miss out on state assistance due to technical constraints, even as they struggle with rising living costs. He stressed that a strong government ensures deserving people access help quickly, fairly, and comprehensively—not one that simply disqualifies the most applicants. He emphasized that when ordinary citizens are cared for, grassroots purchasing power grows, strengthening the entire economy.