Welfare Card Benefits Extended to September Pending Appeals
Welfare card benefits will continue through September as the government reviews eligibility criteria and processes appeals, with the Finance Ministry adding new restrictions on vehicle ownership and non-formal education students.
Government spokesman Paradorn Parisunanondkul confirmed that the state welfare card benefits will remain in effect through the end of September while the appeals process is completed. The Finance Ministry will present three additional eligibility criteria to the cabinet on July 27, including vehicle ownership limits and rules for non-formal education students. About 80% of those re-screened already qualify for the Thai Nation Plus 60:40 program.
When asked how many people will ultimately qualify—currently over 9 million—Paradorn said the final number depends on appeals results, but the government will support those genuinely in need and crack down on fraud. The government is not setting a numerical target. The ministry will verify those who used poor people's names for corporate directorships, fake accounting, or tax deductions, and will pursue back taxes and penalties.
Paradorn clarified that the re-screening is driven by complaints of both ineligible people receiving benefits and eligible people being denied them. A recent survey found 2.3 million additional eligible people, prompting the comprehensive review. While the appeals process continues, the Finance Ministry will later audit fraudulent claimants. The official characterized the effort as updating the country's data systems, noting that outdated records—such as vehicle registries showing cars no longer in use—have skewed eligibility determinations.
