A majority of people who earn less than 100,000 baht per year do not have a clear understanding of the "state welfare card" which can be used from Oct 1 this year, according to the result of an opinion survey by National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll).
The poll was carried out on Sept 2-7 on 2,053 people of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country with an income of less than 100,000 baht per year. The poll compiled opinions on the state welfare card, which will be distributed to those who have registered from Sept 21. The card can be used from Oct 1.
The card is intended to assist low-income people with basic necessities - such as daily household expenses and travel costs - with various forms of subsidies.
A majority, or 67.39%, of the respondents learned of this government programme from television news, while the remainder heard about it from other people, radio, newspapers and online media.
A little over 67% of the respondents said they have registered for the card, while 32.73% have not done so for various reasons.
Asked whether they understand about the card in detail, 67.10% said they are not certain; 21.78% do not understand, and only 11.12% said they have a good understanding of it.
Asked whether they agree with this programme, 80.13% said "yes"; 14.85% said "no"; and 5.02% are uncertain.
