Welfare Card Rejection System Errors Block Eligible Poor Families
A faulty database system in Buriram is incorrectly blocking eligible poor families from receiving welfare cards by falsely recording vehicle ownership, leaving farmers and day laborers without crucial government assistance despite multiple
Residents in Nong Tad, Buriram are frustrated after a faulty screening system incorrectly flagged them as vehicle owners, causing many to be rejected for the state welfare card program. On July 18, a news team surveyed Ballang village in Muang district and found multiple elderly residents who registered for the welfare scheme but failed the eligibility check due to database errors.
Some applicants have never owned vehicles but the system falsely records they own more cars than the program allows. Others sold secondhand cars years ago but the system still lists active vehicle ownership under their names, and sometimes the vehicles recorded don't match what they previously owned.
These errors have cost many genuinely poor residents the opportunity to receive the new welfare card. Most are farmers or day laborers with irregular income. The affected residents have filed appeals for review but remain uncertain of approval, and are demanding that the government correct its screening process.
Ms. Thongdee, a single mother from Ballang village who cares for a disabled daughter, registered for the new welfare card. However, the online system rejected her application, claiming she owns two vehicles exceeding program limits—a claim contradicted by reality. She previously owned one secondhand car but sold it years ago and now owns no vehicles or motorcycles. Since separating from her husband, she has worked locally to support her disabled daughter and herself on a monthly disability stipend of 1,000 baht. She urges the government to verify eligibility carefully, as the welfare payment, though modest, would help purchase rice and food.
Mr. Somrit Ratannam reports the same problem. Though he previously received the welfare card, the system now falsely claims he owns two vehicles when he has never owned a car, only an old motorcycle used to transport his grandson to school, tend crops, and sell vegetables at market for household income. He has filed for review but worries about rejection and calls on the government to conduct accurate verification, as the program's support could genuinely ease family hardship.
