Elderly Happy as Welfare Card Verification Succeeds, Awaiting Benefits

Khaosod•Society•20d ago

Reader Briefing

Elderly individuals expressed joy and relief after successfully verifying their eligibility for the government's welfare card program, despite facing travel challenges.

•Elderly citizens successfully completed identity verification for the Thai Welfare Card ('Card for the Poor') program.
•Many elderly individuals traveled long distances, pooling resources for transportation, to complete the verification process at Krungthai Bank branches.
•Concerns were raised by some elderly beneficiaries regarding the inconvenience and potential difficulty of the re-registration process, especially for those without smartphones or digital literacy.

Overview

•On June 4, 2026, Krungthai Bank branches across Nakhon Ratchasima province saw a large turnout for the first day of welfare card identity verification.
•The elderly and low-income individuals traveled to Krungthai Bank branches to verify their identities for the welfare card program.
•The government is implementing new criteria for the welfare card registration, requiring all existing and new applicants to undergo a new verification and qualification process.
•Many elderly individuals, particularly those without smartphones or digital skills, faced difficulties and expenses in traveling to and completing the verification process.
•The re-registration process is intended to ensure that welfare benefits genuinely reach those with low incomes and to filter for actual eligible recipients.
•Bank officials provided assistance and guidance to citizens, especially the elderly, to manage crowds and support those unable to use digital systems.
•Elderly beneficiaries expressed happiness and a sense of relief upon successful verification but were anxious about the final eligibility decision.
•Successful verification is a prerequisite for entering the next stage of identity confirmation to receive welfare benefits.

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Key Quotes

Unidentified elderly person

"I am delighted that I successfully verified my identity, but I still have to wait and see if I will be granted the right to receive assistance."

รู้สึกดีใจที่สามารถยืนยันตัวตนผ่านเรียบร้อยแล้ว แต่ยังต้องรอลุ้นผลการพิจารณาว่าจะได้สิทธิรับการช่วยเหลือหรือไม่

Yai Somjit

"While understanding the necessity of government eligibility checks, requiring all existing beneficiaries to re-register has created significant difficulties for many elderly individuals."

ซึ่งแม้จะเข้าใจความจำเป็นเรื่องการตรวจสอบสิทธิของภาครัฐ แต่การให้ผู้ถือสิทธิรายเดิมต้องมาลงทะเบียนใหม่ทั้งหมด สร้างความยุ่งยากแก่ผู้สูงอายุจำนวนมาก

Key Entities

Law

Welfare Card(บัตรคนจน)

A government-issued social welfare program in Thailand aimed at providing financial assistance to low-income citizens.

Organization

Krungthai Bank(ธนาคารกรุงไทย)ℹ️

A financial institution assisting citizens with the welfare card identity verification process.

Place

Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall(ศาลากลางจังหวัดนครราชสีมา)ℹ️

A location in Nakhon Ratchasima province where a Krungthai Bank branch is situated, facilitating welfare card verification.

Person

Mr. Veera (Surname withheld)(นายวีระ (สงวนนามสกุล))

An 78-year-old elderly beneficiary who successfully verified his identity for the welfare card.

Grandma Somjit(ยายสมจิตร)

A 65-year-old elderly beneficiary who expressed concerns about the re-registration process for the welfare card.

Grandma Jat(คุณยายจัด)

A 76-year-old elderly beneficiary who accompanied Grandma Somjit to the bank for welfare card verification.