“Anutin” Does Not Cancel Gold Card, Elderly Allowance, or State Welfare Card

Source Identified by Thai PBS Verify: Facebook

A Facebook account shared a picture of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, stating that the welfare card, elderly allowance, and poverty alleviation cards were being cancelled.

Claim Details: A Facebook account shared an image of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul with a caption stating:

“Anutin announces he will cancel the Gold Card, won’t give the 3,000-Baht elderly allowance, and revokes State Welfare Cards. Without the 30-Baht Healthcare Scheme, what health security will the poor have left? One thing during campaigning, what about next election? How many hands will be raised for you? Ask the hearts of Thai people.”

Meanwhile, the post description stated:

“No need to run for office anymore… no one will vote for you, it’s over.”

The post received 285 reactions, 208 comments, and was shared over 45 times.

Is the Prime Minister Canceling the 30-Baht Gold Card?

Thai PBS Verify inquired with Asst. Prof. Dr. Ratchada Thanadirek, Government Spokesperson, who confirmed that there is no plan to cancel Universal Coverage rights or the “30-Baht Gold Card.” The NHSO is actively moving forward to enhance the healthcare security system to guarantee quality and equitable access for all citizens.

Current Progress: NHSO Board Acknowledges Hearing Outcomes

On August 10, 2026, the National Health Security Board (“NHSO Board”) formally acknowledged the outcomes of public hearings conducted under Section 18 (13) of the National Health Security Act B.E. 2545 (2002) for Fiscal Year 2026. A total of 757 issues were gathered from beneficiaries, service providers, local administrative organizations, and various sectors nationwide. The board instructed the NHSO to forward these proposals to the Quality Control Committee and relevant subcommittees for further evaluation.

Dr. Amorn Leelarasamee, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Communication and Public Hearings, stated that hearings were held from October 2025 to June 2026 through regional forums, focus groups, field visits, and online channels. Service providers raised the highest number of issues (316 issues), followed by beneficiaries (281 issues), and local administrative organizations (87 issues).

Key proposals centered on health security system development, specifically budgeting and compensation—such as adjusting reimbursement rates to match real costs, accelerating budget transfers, streamlining disbursement steps, and upgrading budget tracking systems. For elderly, disabled, and dependent care, recommendations included increasing caregiver stipends and support budgets. For chronic disease prevention, proposals called for expanding screenings for diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and cancer.

For primary care services and the “30-Baht Healthcare Anywhere” scheme, recommendations focused on improving referral systems, reducing referral letter requirements, expanding telemedicine, and strengthening Sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals (รพ.สต.), Warm Community Clinics, pharmacies, and innovative service units, alongside health database integration and online complaint channels.

Out of 757 total proposals, 382 issues entered direct management processes: 152 already implemented, 164 merged due to duplicate content, and 66 outside NHSO jurisdiction (referred to external agencies). The remaining 375 issues were forwarded to relevant subcommittees, with 97 issues directly undertaken by the NHSO.

Has the Government Approved the 3,000-Baht Elderly Allowance?

The Government Spokesperson clarified that the government continues to apply existing monthly payout rates under the Ministry of Interior Regulations B.E. 2566 (2023):

• Ages 60–69: 600 Baht/person/month
• Ages 70–79: 700 Baht/person/month
• Ages 80–89: 800 Baht/person/month
• Ages 90 and above: 1,000 Baht/person/month

Is the Government Revoking State Welfare Card Rights?

Asst. Prof. Dr. Ratchada explained that the government is expanding support for low-income populations and State Welfare Card beneficiaries. Inter-agency efforts are integrated to facilitate electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) identity verification, rights review appeals, and proactive field outreach to ensure citizens do not lose entitlements due to procedural confusion or accessibility hurdles.

As of August 8, 2026, out of 3.1 million new eligible beneficiaries, 2.3 million (73%) completed identity verification—up from 2.2 million (68%) on August 2. Unverified individuals dropped to 830,000 (27%) from 980,000 (31%).

The government urges new beneficiaries to complete verification swiftly to start using benefits on October 1, 2026. The Ministry of Finance allows verification until January 12, 2027. Provinces with the highest unverified numbers—Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram, and Khon Kaen—have been directed to intensify local outreach.

Regarding rights review appeals, 4.2 million individuals have submitted claims (up from 4.1 million on August 2). However, approximately 5 million people have yet to file appeals and are advised to do so by August 31, 2026. High appeal submission rates were recorded in Lampang (60%), Narathiwat (59%), Pattani (58%), Yala (54%), and Phrae (53%).

Multiple service channels are available: the “Thang Rat” app, “Pao Tang” app, official websites, 5 state banks, and One Stop Service (OSS) centers across 878 district offices nationwide. Provincial governors, district chiefs, local government officials, sub-district headmen, and village headmen are conducting field visits to assist elderly, disabled, and vulnerable residents.

“Verification and appeal numbers are steadily rising. The government will monitor and facilitate access until the final deadline. We encourage remaining eligible individuals to act promptly within the timeframe to secure their welfare rights,” Ms. Ratchada stated.

What is the Truth?

Thai PBS Verify examined the claim and found that statements asserting Anutin Charnvirakul will cancel the 30-Baht Gold Card, elderly living allowances, and State Welfare Card rights are untrue. Official information from the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the government confirms there is no policy to revoke universal health coverage rights (30-Baht Gold Card). Meanwhile, the healthcare system continuously gathers feedback and proposals from the public and service providers to enhance service delivery.

Regarding the 3,000-Baht Elderly Living Allowance, no approval has been granted for payments at this rate. Disbursements strictly follow the Ministry of Interior Regulations B.E. 2566 (2023) according to age tiers:

• Ages 60–69: 600 Baht/person/month
• Ages 70–79: 700 Baht/person/month
• Ages 80–89: 800 Baht/person/month
• Ages 90 and above: 1,000 Baht/person/month

For the State Welfare Card, the government has not revoked rights. Instead, it is actively processing identity verifications and allowing individuals who did not pass initial screening to submit appeal requests for rights review. Dedicated assistance channels have been arranged for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and individuals unable to complete online procedures.

Therefore, claims stating that “Anutin will cancel the Gold Card, elderly allowance, and revoke State Welfare Cards” conflate multiple separate issues to cause misunderstanding. No evidence indicates any official government policy to cancel such welfare benefits.