Thailand's Welfare Card Re-evaluation Sparks Confusion and Hardship

Thailand's re-evaluation of its state welfare card program, known as the 'card for the poor,' has led to widespread confusion and hardship, with many deserving citizens reportedly being rejected. According to a government spokesperson, 6 million people have been found ineligible in the latest review, while 9.5 million have been accepted. Somnuek, a 57-year-old from Tak Fa district in Nakhon Sawan, finally received his welfare card on his fifth attempt. He expressed frustration that owning a small plot of land, inherited from his ancestors, was a reason for his repeated rejections. "Do I have to live in a rat-hole to be accepted as poor?" he questioned, noting the 200 square meter plot was passed down by his ancestors. In Nakhon Ratchasima province, Sa-ard, 64, was dropped from the list due to owning an aging motorcycle with a sidecar, purchased 20 years ago. This vehicle is crucial for her husband's scrap buying business, and she described it as "very old, it is almost beyond being usable." She lamented that the loss of the welfare card means they now have "really poor with almost nothing to eat," urging authorities to "look at us, and take care of the grassroots people, like me." Supranee, 39, from Sikhiu district, also in Nakhon Ratchasima, faced the disqualification of her mother, who suffers from chronic illness, including cancer. The reason for the rejection was not provided in the message sent to her mother's mobile phone, leaving her to question "Why is it so very difficult to prove we really are poor?" While the government aims to screen out those who only pretend to be poor, the criteria appear to be excluding individuals whose assets, such as small landholdings or old vehicles, are essential for their livelihoods or inherited property. Those who failed the selection process can appeal online or in person at any of the five state banks, though some, like Sa-ard, may lack the means or energy to pursue an appeal. Information Source: Bangkok Post