Thailand's Welfare Card Program 2026 Launches August 1
Thailand's welfare card program relaunches August 1 for existing beneficiaries, with new applicants able to register starting October 1, providing monthly allowances accessed via mobile app or national ID card at participating merchants.
On July 17, Thanachoat Rungthipanont, deputy director-general of the Comptroller General's Department, announced that the Cabinet has approved the 2026 State Welfare Registration Program. Existing cardholders from the 2022 program who qualified for 2026 benefits can begin using their benefits from August 1 (5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily), while new applicants must wait until October 1.
Eligible beneficiaries can access benefits through two methods: the Paotang mobile application (G Wallet) for smartphone users, or their national ID card with PIN code verification for those without smartphones. Both methods require facial recognition scanning at participating merchants or agencies. The program provides monthly allowances of 300 baht for essential goods, 80 baht every three months for cooking gas, and 75 baht for public transportation.
New applicants and those undergoing benefit review must complete identity verification (e-KYC) within 180 days through either the Paotang app or one of five designated banks: Krung Thai Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Savings Bank, Government Housing Bank, and Islamic Bank of Thailand. Identity verification must be completed at registration centers, and those wishing to delegate authority must also verify in person at these centers.
