H.E. Mr. Paolo Dionisi The Italian Ambassador to Thailand

Prior to my diplomatic career, during my last university years I worked in a news agency and became a journalist and learned to write travel reports. Then I did my military service, which was then compulsory in Italy as an officer, as First Lieutenant. It was a very formative experience and I established fraternal friendship with my fellow officers, especially during the training course, with whom I still have very solid relationships after almost 35 years. During the military service you learn those founding values for every society, such as respect for the institutions, love for the flag and loyalty to your country. Years later, when I was already a diplomat I was called back and after a training course I was promoted to captain.

I started my diplomatic career at the age of 25 and having had previous experience in the media, I was assigned to the Press Department and I was one of the spokespersons of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Beautiful years, many missions abroad following our foreign ministers from whom I learned a great deal. in my career but I would dare to say in life you never stop learning. The curiosity to learn new things has always been a special interest.

My career has been varied and interesting. After the assignments in Rome at the ministry I was assigned first in Germany, in the old capital of Bonn and then in Lebanon in Beirut. Completely different countries, with different cultures and ways of doing things at the antipodes. Different life experiences.

In Beirut I also met my wife. Usually young diplomats, at least we Italians, end up marrying girls from the countries where they are assigned. Probably if I had come to Bangkok in those years I would now be married to a Thai girl” – the Ambassador laughs heartily – “Thai women are so charming.

Then back in Rome after Bonn and Beirut I was very lucky to go working for the Prime Minister. Working with the Prime Minister is for a diplomat one of the most interesting tasks because you are in the heart of political decisions and you meet interesting people from all over the world. The two prime ministers for whom I have worked are very great personalities in Italy and in the world I would say, Silvio Berlusconi and Romano Prodi. Very intense and interesting years.

After that experience I went back abroad, this time as Ambassador of Italy first to the UAE, in Abu Dhabi and then to the Sultanate of Oman, in Muscat, beautiful experiences in very interesting countries”.

He further added, “During my career, I was also fortunate to be seconded to the economic sector, assigned by the ministry to hold executive positions in public and private companies; from construction, transport, aviation, healthcare, renewable energy. They were very useful experiences because they allowed me to know well the other side of the same coin of our work as diplomats abroad. Supporting the Italian economy abroad is in fact one of the priorities of my work in Thailand. Italy can contribute significantly to Thailand’s economic growth. There are so many similarities between our economies. in Thailand there is the BCG development model, in Italy we have the Next Generation EU plan, of which Italy is the main actor in Europe. Thailand can be the hub in ASEAN for Italy as well as Italy can be the development hub in Europe for Thai investors”

Ambassador Paolo Dionisi has been decorated with multiple orders of merits, from the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Order of Merit of the French Republic, Order of Merit of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Order of the Cedar of the Lebanese Republic, Order of the Holy Sepulcher and Order of SS, Maurizio and Lazzaro.

Ambassador Paolo Dionisi sees Thailand as an important regional hub in ASEAN. He elaborated, “I strongly believe in the potential growth of ASEAN and Thailand in particular and I look very much forward to exploring all aspects of ASEAN, both in terms of business and culture.”

2023 officially marks the 155th anniversary of the bilateral relations between Italy and Thailand. Ambassador Paolo has planned many events to mark the significant milestone. “ Last January we celebrated the World Italian Pizza Day in Bangkok with all Italian pizzerias in town and with the Governor Chadchart of Bangkok.

In February together with Silpakorn University we launched a design logo competition among the students, for the official logo of the 155th Anniversary that we have presented to the public together with the Minister of Culture, Itthipol Khunpluem, during the Italian Design Week last March.

In April we will have a concert at Silpakorn University, then in May the ITN Morosini will be anchored in Bangkok for three days open to public visits, then in June the grand celebration of the National Day at Mahidol University, then in October Bangkok will host the Italy-ASEAN High Level Dialogue Conference with many entrepreneurs and business people coming from Italy and other ASEAN countries, then in October the Italian Food Week and many other events”.

Ambassador Paolo Dionisi is joined here by Madame Tala while their two daughters are based in Europe as university students. Since arriving in Bangkok, the diplomatic couple have visited Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket, Udon Thani, Samui, Rayong, Pattaya, Krabi, Phang Nga, Chiang Rai and many other smaller places. In his spare time, Ambassador Paolo enjoys golf, other sports and visiting museums.

Since the reopening of the borders after the pandemic, Ambassador Paolo assured that the Embassy is working to revamp the visa section for Thai visitors to Italy. “Thai Airways will soon resume flights between Bangkok to Milan and Rome”.

For the students exchange programme, the Ambassador affirmed, “We will increase the students exchange programmes, but to be more selective on the areas that the Thai government is more interested in. This will provide more impact on the required skill sets needed”.

As our interview drew to a close, Ambassador Paolo Dionisi expressed, “Since my arrival in Thailand, I have felt very positive vibes here. Bangkok is truly a city of action. I feel a sense of security here. Thailand is truly the ‘Land of Smiles’.

I am happy to connect with many Italians living in the country. I also would like to take the opportunity to thank the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce on promoting trade between our two countries.”