Politician Blasts Government Welfare Card Screening Criteria

On July 23, 2569 at 11:00 a.m. at Parliament, Dr. Voranut Detgitwitkram, Thai Loyalty Party list MP and party leader, criticized the government's welfare card screening process for causing distress to the poor. He noted that while the government uses substantial budget allocations including 400 billion baht in borrowing, it has taken an unusually harsh stance toward the poor. Although he acknowledged that some wealthy people may have mixed into the 13.2 million welfare cardholders, the government's criteria resulted in 6 million people—mostly genuinely poor—being cut off. Dr. Voranut said even Parliament cleaning staff had complained to him about losing their welfare cards, and criticized the mixed messaging about appeals and surveys. He called for the government to clarify whether the 6 million cut off will be able to use their cards in August and September. He expressed that 300 baht monthly is meaningful to the poor who depend on it for basic groceries, unlike middle-class citizens who can spend flexibly. While supportive of removing wealthy people from welfare rolls, Dr. Voranut criticized the criteria as flawed, noting that Finance Ministry technocrats working in air-conditioned offices lack experience with actual poverty. He urged clear rules that effectively exclude the wealthy without cutting off the truly poor, and said that if the 400 billion baht loan is necessary, it should help people instead.