Bangkok: The Treasury Department has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that welfare cards are distributed to "truly poor" individuals, rather than those who "pretend to be poor," while addressing criticisms regarding the misuse of filial piety as a justification for benefits.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Vinit Visetsuwannapoom, Director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the intent behind the newly implemented screening process for state welfare cardholders. The initiative aims to provide authentic support to vulnerable groups and the economically disadvantaged, especially in the wake of the ongoing energy crisis. The updated verification process shifts from family-level to individual-level screening, leveraging digital databases to ensure thorough verification. This approach seeks to distinguish "the truly poor" from "those who wish to be poor," thereby preventing misuse of the welfare cards and safeguarding taxpayer money.
On the contentious issue of parents losing tax benefits due to their children's misuse of names for tax deductions, the spokesperson highlighted that affected individuals could appeal to restore their rights. The spokesperson insisted on making a choice between government support or support from children. While no specific target has been set for the number of people who may lose their rights, coordination is underway with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to conduct comprehensive on-site surveys to ensure accuracy and fairness.
The Ministry of Finance has outlined a mechanism for those who did not pass the eligibility verification to appeal through five main registration channels from July 17 to 31, 2026. Applicants must provide necessary information to rectify the points of contention by August 16, 2026. The Ministry will announce the appeal results on September 14, 2026, allowing successful appellants to verify their identity and commence receiving the new round of state welfare benefits from October 1, 2026, onwards.