Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, expressed his satisfaction with the results of the NIDA Poll titled "Do the poor have rights?", which indicate the success of the "Welfare Card 2026" program. The survey, conducted from July 21-23, 2026, among individuals earning no more than 10,000 baht per month nationwide, highlighted the program's role in aiding the poor and enhancing the government's popularity by 32%.

According to Thai News Agency, Ekniti emphasized the positive public sentiment towards the state welfare card program, noting its impact on increasing confidence and support for the government. The survey revealed that 23.62% of respondents who benefited from the program acknowledged its significant influence on their political decisions, with 32.49% reporting increased support for the government due to the benefits received.

Ekniti also addressed the program's screening criteria, highlighting that a substantial portion of the population understood the selection process. The survey showed that while 51.73% of registered individuals did not receive benefits, 43.26% of them were not upset because they comprehended the conditions and eligibility criteria. Additionally, 50.66% of those who did not register believed they were ineligible, which deterred them from applying.

The NIDA Poll provided further insights, revealing that 24.65% of the sample group did not register for the program. Ekniti stated that these findings underscore the importance of state welfare policies in supporting low-income earners and their role in fortifying economic stability. He assured that the Ministry of Finance plans to use the survey data to enhance and refine the welfare system, ensuring it is more comprehensive and targeted in its approach.