Officials Rush to Help 77-Year-Old Woman Denied Poor Welfare Card
A 77-year-old disabled woman in Surin province who has been repeatedly denied a welfare card despite living in extreme poverty finally got official help after her name mysteriously vanished from the eligibility system. The Muang Ti subdistr
On July 21, Wimol Suangam, 77, a resident of Muang Ti subdistrict in Muang district, Surin province, has submitted documentation multiple times seeking a state welfare card, or poor person's card, but has never been approved. Her latest application is even more troubling: her name does not appear in the system for eligibility verification, despite her physical disability, living alone, and extreme poverty with no means to eat.
Out of desperation, Wimol hitched a ride with a neighbor to inquire directly at Krung Thai Bank. Each time bank officials checked, they found no record of her in the system. They advised her to register again, but no one could tell her when new registrations would open.
Recently, Srachai Suphimars, chief of the Muang Ti subdistrict administration, along with community development officers and relevant agencies, visited Wimol's home to investigate and seek solutions. The moment Wimol saw the subdistrict chief, she rushed to embrace him and wept with relief, finally having an official body listen to her problem and offer help.
Initial investigation revealed that Wimol had completed a registration form in 2026 to verify eligibility for state welfare benefits for those left out of the census survey who face income and livelihood hardship. The village headman submitted her documents to Muang Surin District Office following proper procedure, but her information never appeared in the system.
Srachai stated that upon learning the elderly woman's name was missing from the system despite having submitted documents, he immediately went to verify the facts. He confirmed he would urgently trace every step to find where the documents were lost, not to blame any agency, but to resolve the problem quickly. He acknowledged that while the welfare card amount is small, it holds tremendous value for someone with nothing. "Though the money is modest, it matters greatly to someone truly in need," he said, his voice catching with emotion.
Wimol's home, built from salvaged materials years ago when she was strong enough to work as a laborer in Bangkok, now reflects her dire circumstances. She lives alone, in poor health, surviving on only 1,500 baht monthly in disability and elderly allowance—her sole possessions.
"The state welfare card may not seem significant to many, but for an impoverished elderly person like you, every baht carries profound meaning. We will do everything we can to ensure you receive the benefits you rightfully deserve," Srachai declared.
The village headman produced registration evidence confirming the documents were properly submitted, but acknowledged not knowing where the error occurred. He is now preparing to help Wimol file an appeal with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).
Wimol, tearfully opening her heart, expressed her bewilderment at why her information disappeared from the system despite following every step the headman instructed. She added that her physical condition makes travel difficult, and she cannot frequently inquire in person. Living alone after losing her child, she has struggled to understand why help remains out of reach.
