Surin Residents Denied Welfare Card Over Vehicle Records They Don't Own

On July 20, residents of Surin who were denied state welfare cards gathered at the Surin Provincial Transport Office in Muang district to verify vehicle ownership records with transport authorities. Transport Chief Sahanat Kampun arranged vehicle registration staff to assist with data verification. Officials found that many people were listed as owners of old vehicles they did not possess, some had been fraudulently registered without their knowledge, and others had put vehicles in their names to help children make payments. The Department of Transport has submitted the issue to the Ministry of Finance to determine how to resolve it, and the matter is currently under review.

When interviewed, 73-year-old Niam from Phiayram subdistrict said she was denied benefits because she was recorded as owning two motorcycles. In reality, she owns only a bicycle for traveling to rice fields and temples. She has never owned a motorcycle in her life and cannot understand how her name came to be listed as an owner. Phueng, 64, from Muang Thip subdistrict, said the system shows he owns a car—which he does, a very old one purchased in 1993. He was disqualified for having it and asked for new criteria to be considered. He added that even his 77-year-old sister, who is disabled and bedridden, was disqualified, forcing him to handle her appeal, though he does not know if it will be approved.

Porn, 66, from Khokho subdistrict, said the system lists her as owning a motorcycle that is now scrap metal. She complained that the government has made life difficult for ordinary people like her who earn just enough to survive day to day, and that verifying these matters wastes her working time. She appealed to the government to investigate actual living conditions or allow relevant ministries to inspect homes to verify genuine poverty, noting that some civil servants still receive benefits while truly poor people do not. She urged swift resolution.

Regarding owning two motorcycles and failing the criteria, one woman noted the government did not inform her beforehand. She previously held the card but it was revoked. She registered two motorcycles 20 years ago so her children could use them and pay installments themselves; one is now a tuk-tuk and the other her child uses for work. She did not expect such rules. She owns only vehicles and no other assets—just a modest roof-damaged house and two old bicycles. She sarcastically said she has now become rich overnight, rich in name only, as a coconut vendor selling roasted young coconuts. She questioned how she is supposed to carry 10 coconuts over 10 kilometers to the market and when the government will address this.