The Finance Ministry has acknowledged discrepancies in government databases and urged applicants to update their information after the number of people qualifying for the 2026 state welfare card scheme fell sharply.
Only 9.5 million of the 18.8 million applicants qualified for the programme, down from 13.2 million beneficiaries under the previous scheme.
Of those who passed the screening, 7.2 million are existing cardholders who retained their eligibility, while 2.3 million are new applicants. About 5.99 million of the 13.2 million existing beneficiaries no longer meet the revised criteria.
Vinit Visessuvanapoom, ministry spokesman and director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, said on Friday the revised registration process and screening criteria were intended to ensure assistance reaches those most in need.
He said the new criteria rely on information about applicants' income, assets and other records held by government agencies to better identify low-income earners.
However, he acknowledged the effectiveness of the screening process depends on the accuracy of government databases, which may contain outdated or incorrect information.
"The review process gives people an opportunity to check their records with government agencies and update information," Mr Vinit said.
Applicants who failed the screening will be informed of the criteria they did not meet and may request a review until July 31. Any updated information must be submitted by Aug 16.
Mr Vinit also clarified two revised eligibility criteria -- vehicle ownership and student status -- that can disqualify applicants.
Registration data from the 2022 programme showed that many welfare cardholders owned more than one vehicle or vehicles with relatively high market values. As a result, vehicle ownership was included as a screening criterion for the 2026 scheme.
Motorcycles, three-wheeled vehicles and certain vehicles used for earning a living are exempt, he said.
Applicants who no longer own vehicles registered in their names, or who sold them without formally transferring ownership, were advised to update their records.
Regarding student status, Mr Vinit said the criterion was introduced after authorities found many applicants registered as students were well beyond the normal age for school or university attendance.
He said the welfare card programme is intended to support low-income working-age people and vulnerable groups.
