Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin promised today (Saturday) that the price of petrol will be cutt, after the prices of diesel and electricity are further reduced.

He urged people to have patience, because the government needs to do one thing at a time, beginning with those matters which are most urgent, saying that the government is fully aware of the hardships caused by high energy prices.

Last week, the Cabinet agreed to cut the price of electricity, from 4.45 to 4.10 baht/unit, and the price of diesel to below 30 baht per litre.

The prime minister was in Chiang Mai province today to inspect water projects and the Huai Hong Khrai Development Study Centre. He also took part in the release of wild fowl and the planting of Yang trees.

He was briefed by the director-general of Royal Irrigation Department on the Nam Yuam water diversion projects.

The controversial project is expected to cost about 10 billion baht. The goal is to divert water from the Yam River, the source of which is in Mae Hong Son province, into the Bhumibol reservoir in Tak province through a 61km subterranean tunnel, before it flows into the Moei River in Chiang Rai and Salween River, which demarcates the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak province.

The prime minister also said that, during his visit to China between October 8^th and 10^th, he will request another giant panda, as a goodwill gesture, to replace two Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, which died in in 2019 and this April respectively.

Regarding the visa exemption for tourists from China and Kazakhstan, the prime minister said the government is considering requests from other countries for similar treatment.