Bangkok: The Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration has mandated a comprehensive verification process for welfare card eligibility, targeting over 13.19 million individuals, with a special focus on locating more than 1 million people who may have been previously overlooked.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Narucha Khosasilvilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, has directed all districts to ensure citizens' access to the state welfare card program. The 2026 welfare card program, which has been approved by the Cabinet on June 2, 2026, spans from June 4-21, 2026, and aims to include 13.19 million low-income individuals. In addition, efforts will be made to identify and register approximately 1,044,785 individuals who lack identification cards and have been omitted from the program's Basic Needs Database and other relevant systems.
The Director-General has issued an urgent letter to provinces, urging collaboration with Bangkok, Pattaya, and local administrative organizations to expedite the survey and follow-up processes using the "System for Verifying Information on Those Missed from the State Welfare Eligibility Survey." This initiative is aimed at ensuring timely and accurate assistance to the public.
The Department of Provincial Administration has also set up One-Stop Service centers across district administrative offices to provide consultation, data verification, and identity confirmation for citizens. This measure is designed to streamline the process for those who were part of the 2022 State Welfare Registration Program and are required to confirm their participation in the 2026 program through designated channels, including applications, websites, and ATM services.
For those lacking identification cards, a proactive survey and registration process was launched, involving a network of administrative officials, community volunteers, and local government personnel. The goal is to verify and register eligible individuals using the Basic Needs Database and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security's electronic family logbook system.
Community engagement is also emphasized, with village and community forums organized to ensure comprehensive and transparent verification. This community involvement is aimed at identifying eligible individuals who have not yet been registered, ensuring inclusive access to government assistance.
The verification process is set to conclude by June 21, 2026, with all information submitted to the Ministry of Finance for final eligibility checks. The Director-General has also highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns to protect citizens from fraud and urged them to rely on credible government sources for information.