Surge in registrations for Thai Help Thai Plus program; officials urge patience as 8 million benefits remain available
Thai Help Thai Plus registrations exceeded expectations with 10 million benefits claimed in 25 minutes, leaving 8 million available as officials reassure applicants their benefits are reserved during the three-day verification process.
Deputy Prime Minister Pracharya Prissananuntakul expressed satisfaction after the Thai Help Thai Plus registration surpassed expectations in nearly five hours, with 8 million benefits still available. He assured registrants not to worry about the three-day verification process, as benefits are already reserved for those awaiting review. The program will use the original 13.2 million welfare cardholders during the first two months before any adjustments.
Speaking at Government House on May 25, 2025, at 10:25 a.m., Prissananuntakul explained that Thai Help Thai Plus registrations fall into two categories: existing welfare program users can immediately confirm their eligibility, while new applicants must wait for verification through the Interior Ministry's online system, which may take up to three days.
When asked about the risk of benefits running out during the verification period, Prissananuntakul reported that 10 million benefits had already been claimed just 25 minutes after registration opened, leaving 8 million remaining. Those awaiting the three-day verification have their benefits reserved by the system, and once verification is complete, they are considered eligible recipients.
Acknowledging numerous complaints that truly poor people were excluded while ineligible individuals received benefits, the government plans to review the 13.2 million beneficiaries. The Interior Ministry will survey people outside this list to identify those below the poverty line, working with the Social Development Ministry before sending recommendations to the Finance Ministry. The Finance Ministry will apply additional screening criteria including annual income, land ownership, and business status. This process is expected to take approximately two months, during which the program will continue using the existing 13.2 million figures before any adjustments are made.
