PM Dodges Questions on Welfare Card Controversy
PM Anuthong avoided questions about the welfare card scheme controversy at Government House on July 21, responding only with casual greetings as ministers discussed eligibility criteria changes that disqualified many citizens.
Prime Minister Anuthong Chanyaveerakul avoided answering media questions about the state welfare card scheme, responding only with casual greetings of "hello" and "good morning" in Hokkien. At 10:30 a.m. on July 21, 2569, at Government House, the Prime Minister and Interior Minister chaired a cabinet meeting. Before the session, he convened relevant ministers at Thai Khu Fah building to discuss adjustments to the welfare card eligibility criteria after numerous citizens who previously qualified were disqualified in the latest round. Attending ministers included Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraprash, Transport Minister Siripong Angksakulkiat, Deputy Interior Minister Palpeer Suwannachuwee, Prime Minister's Office Minister Phradit Parisnanantakul, and Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Arsit Sampantharattan. After the cabinet meeting concluded, journalists attempted to ask about the welfare card issue, but the Prime Minister declined to respond substantively, offering only friendly greetings in two languages instead. Several ministers were absent from today's cabinet session, including Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthammaphand, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasakdi Phungsatkaetkaew, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob, and Deputy Interior Minister Chacherthai Thaiseht.
