Government Urges 980,000 to Verify State Welfare Card by August 31
Nearly 980,000 Thais must complete identity verification for state welfare cards by August 31, with the government operating multiple service centers nationwide to prevent citizens from losing benefits.
The government is rushing to assist nearly 980,000 new state welfare card holders in completing identity verification, while encouraging 5.2 million more to submit benefit review requests before the August 31 deadline. More than 4 million have already filed for benefit review.
Government spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek said the government prioritizes ensuring poor and disadvantaged citizens receive fair and universal welfare benefits. The government has coordinated all relevant agencies and accelerated support for identity verification, benefit review requests, and public outreach to help citizens meet the deadline.
Of the 9.5 million people who passed qualification screening, 6.3 million existing cardholders require no additional verification, while 3.1 million new cardholders must complete the e-KYC identity verification process.
As of August 2, 2026, more than 2.1 million new cardholders (69%) have completed verification, leaving approximately 980,000 (31%) still pending. The government is actively following up, promoting awareness, and facilitating the process to prevent people from losing their benefits. Those who failed initial qualification can appeal, with over 4.1 million appeals already filed (44%), while 5.2 million more remain eligible to appeal by August 31.
The government has set up multiple service channels including the "Thang Rat" and "Pao Tang" apps, project websites, five state banks, and 878 One Stop Service (OSS) centers across all districts to assist citizens, particularly the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable populations unable to access online services.
OSS centers will receive appeal requests and forward them to rights verification agencies in local districts and provinces, including district tax offices, district land offices, provincial transport offices, and provincial commerce offices. Village headmen and local government organizations are also mobilizing to conduct outreach in every community.
"The government is determined not to let citizens lose welfare benefits due to inconvenience or lack of information," Ratchada said. "We have prepared sufficient staff, systems, and service channels. We urge the 980,000 new cardholders who haven't verified their identity and the 5.2 million who haven't appealed to complete their applications by the deadline so everyone receives their full welfare entitlements."
