Long Queues as Thais Appeal Welfare Card Rejections
Thousands of Thais queued at banks across the country to appeal welfare card rejections after the government disqualified nearly half of 18.82 million applicants for its 2026 assistance program. Rejected beneficiaries say the 300-baht month
On July 21, large numbers of residents gathered at Krung Thai Bank's provincial administration branch on Klang Muang Road in Khon Kaen Municipality to file appeals after the government announced 2026 welfare card results. Of 18.82 million registered applicants, only 9.51 million met the criteria, meaning nearly half of previously eligible people lost their benefits. Most of those filing appeals had been rejected, creating long queues from morning onward that required security staff to manage and organize the process.
Ruay, 72, from Tha Phra subdistrict in Khon Kaen, said that truly poor people should receive government assistance. He noted that 300 baht monthly from a welfare card helps significantly with household purchases and that the government need not increase the amount, though he wished the program could reach more people. He added that he had received the benefit under General Prayut Chan-o-cha's administration but did not understand what criteria were used to determine who qualifies as genuinely poor versus merely wanting assistance.
Kaew, 66, from Muang district in Khon Kaen, said she was disqualified because of a motorcycle debt. She came to verify her eligibility but was rejected, so she filed an appeal. She noted that 300 baht monthly genuinely helps support family needs—groceries, fish sauce, and household essentials—and expressed sadness at losing the benefit. "I wonder if the government thinks I'm not truly poor," she said. "I rent my home and carry debt, so how am I considered wealthy? I urge Prime Minister Anatin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister to reconsider the criteria, because truly poor people struggle greatly and should not be cut off."
