Government Thanks Public for Understanding Welfare Card Screening
The government said most people understand the welfare card screening process and pledged to review criteria to better target aid to the poorest citizens. Officials plan to extend card validity periods and broaden appeals while designing em
Deputy Government Spokesman Ploythale Laksameesang announced July 27 that the government appreciates public understanding of the state welfare card screening system. A Nida Poll survey by the National Institute of Development Administration found that 43.26% of respondents were not upset about failing to qualify for the program.
The government stands ready to review the welfare card screening criteria to ensure aid reaches low-income and genuinely poor citizens with accuracy. The administration will extend usage periods for existing cardholders and broaden appeal procedures. Officials asked the public not to worry, as the government listens to public feedback and wants to carefully verify data before implementing new standards. The welfare card program has not opened for new registrations in approximately five years, leaving many eligible people without assistance.
Laksameesang emphasized that the updated welfare card database is more detailed, allowing the government to clearly segment cardholders by age group. Of over 9 million cardholders, more than 5 million are aged 18–60 and mostly lack assets or income. The government plans to use this data to design targeted assistance policies, particularly upskilling and reskilling programs to boost employment prospects and improve quality of life for working-age cardholders, rather than relying solely on welfare benefits.
