Bangkok: People complain that the 100 baht top-up on their welfare cards isn't enough to live on.

According to Thai News Agency, a survey by NIDA Poll revealed that the majority of the public is satisfied with measures to help with the cost of living, except for the increase in the welfare card allowance from 300 to 400 baht, which most people stated was too little.

The NIDA Poll, a public opinion survey center at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), released the results of a survey on "Is the cost of living relief measure sufficient?" The survey was conducted between April 20-21, 2026, among 1,310 respondents aged 18 and over, representing all regions, educational levels, occupations, and income levels nationwide, regarding their opinions on the government's cost of living relief measures.

The survey asked for public opinion on "measures to help with the cost of living" for the public, focusing on various initiatives under the government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Key measures included the "Half-Interest Loan" project for the agricultural sector, where 71.30% of respondents indicated the measure was appropriate. Furthermore, fuel subsidies for different types of vehicles also received positive feedback, with an average of around 60-70% of respondents finding them appropriate.

A notable point of contention, however, was the increase in the welfare card allowance. The survey showed that 54.27% of respondents found the increase from 300 baht to 400 baht insufficient, indicating significant dissatisfaction among the public. This stands in contrast to other measures, such as fuel subsidies for minibuses, passenger vans, and various vehicles, which received more favorable responses.

The Government Savings Bank's offer of low-interest loans for solar power generation systems and electric vehicles was also part of the survey. While a majority of 56.49% found this measure appropriate, a substantial portion of respondents still considered it excessive or insufficient.

Overall, while some government measures to alleviate the cost of living have been well-received, the dissatisfaction surrounding the welfare card allowance increase highlights ongoing concerns about the adequacy of support for low-income individuals.