BANGKOK, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-O-cha on Wednesday said his government will end the use of plastic bags thinner than 36 microns, styrofoam food containers, plastic straws and single-use plastic cups within 2022.

Prayut made the pledge at a press conference in the government house on the occasion of the International Plastic Bag Free Day on July 3.

He expressed his gratitude to all sectors in their efforts to help reduce the use of plastic bags.

“I would like to thank all sectors in helping to reduce plastic use,” said Prayut, “in the past ten months, plastic bags have been reduced by 2.7 tons or 1.5 billion.”

The Thai Prime Minister also said his government will promote environmentally friendly materials in place of plastic products to reduce plastic waste.

All state agencies have been mandated to find other environmentally substances to replace plastic bags, said Prayut.

Prayut also extended his plea for citizens to reject plastic bag offers at convenience stores and department stores.

“The government plans to shift its measures from reduction to cessation so that the 2022 goal can be achieved sooner. It depends on our cooperation. This is to solve global pollution on land and in the sea,” the prime minister said.