ITA Bangkok

🧀🇮🇹 What do DOP and IGP mean?

Many of you may have come across the labels DOP and IGP when exploring authentic Italian cheese and wondered about their significance.

These quality marks are official European certifications that guarantee the origin, authenticity, and production standards of Italian products, ensuring that what you enjoy is truly representative of Italy’s rich gastronomic heritage.

👉 Discover more in the visuals above!

Credits: formaggiokitchen and italiancrafted

On Wednesday, 4 March 2026, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) Bangkok, led by Mrs. Paola Guida, Trade Commissioner, together with the ITA team, joined Central Group and Central Food Retail Team at the Grand Opening Ceremony of Discover Italy: The Extraordinary Italian Taste at Tops Food Hall Central Park, an event organized by Tops, the food business under Central Retail, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Embassy of Italy in Thailand, celebrating the richness and diversity of Italian gastronomy.

The festival showcases over 1,364 authentic premium products from across Italy’s regions, ranging from ready-to-cook ingredients and artisanal specialties to indulgent desserts and distinctive Made in Italy delicacies. Each product has been carefully curated to highlight genuine Italian flavors and culinary traditions.

📅 4 -17 March 2026
📍 Participating TOPS and TOPS FOOD HALL branches nationwide, and via TOPS ONLINE

Tops Thailand - ท็อปส์ ไทยแลนด์

Bangkok, February 2026 - The Certified Italian Sommelier Wine Course in Thailand 2025-2026, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE–ITA) in collaboration with the Italian Sommelier Foundation (FIS), has successfully concluded with its final examination, official diploma ceremony and Italian Wine Pairing Dinner at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.

This landmark initiative marks the first Certified Italian Sommelier Course ever held in Thailand, delivered across two intensive periods: 20 October - 1 November 2025 and 19 - 31 January 2026.

The final examination, conducted on 31 January 2026, followed the academic standards of the Italian Sommelier Foundation and included a written test, blind tasting, and individual oral examination to assess professional competence.

The program proudly concludes with 25 newly certified Italian Sommeliers in Thailand, strengthening professional wine education and further promoting Italian wine culture in the country.

Fondazione Italiana Sommelier

Bangkok, February 2026 - The Certified Italian Sommelier Wine Course in Thailand 2025-2026, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE–ITA) in collaboration with the Italian Sommelier Foundation (FIS), has successfully concluded with its final examination, official diploma ceremony and Italian Wine Pairing Dinner at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.
The Italian Trade Agency Bangkok would like to express its sincere gratitude to Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel for its outstanding support as the official venue host.

We also extend our appreciation to our wine sponsors, Tops Wine Cellar (Central Food Retail TOPS FOOD HALL), Bangkok Beer and Beverages (BB&B), Independent Wine and Spirits (IWS Spirit Thailand), Italasia Group Thailand, Texica Wines, and Vinum Lector, as well as to Rynn Thailand, sponsor of mineral-preserved drinking water, for their valuable contributions.

Special thanks are also due to our local supporting instructors, Asst. Prof. Dr. Falan Srisuriyachai and Mrs. Sariya Kampanathsanyakorn, whose collaboration was genuinely instrumental in the success of the program.

Their collective support and professionalism played a key role in the successful delivery of this initiative, strengthening cooperation and excellence in Italian wine education in Thailand.

🇮🇹🍷 Following the Diploma Night Closing Ceremony, an Italian Wine Pairing Dinner was hosted at Spice Market Restaurant, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, to celebrate the successful conclusion of the initiative.

The evening featured an exclusively curated Thai set menu by Chef Akkawin Pitrachart (Chef Pun), thoughtfully paired with selected Italian wines used throughout the course. Each pairing was jointly presented by Chef Pun and Ms. Sara Tosti, offering guests a refined experience that seamlessly combined gastronomy, wine education, and cultural exchange.

On this special occasion, the five participants achieving the highest final examination scores were further rewarded with an exclusive vineyard visit to Italy, to be organized by the Italian Trade Agency in 2026, recognizing their outstanding excellence and commitment.

Fondazione Italiana Sommelier

🇮🇹🍷 On Sunday, 1 February 2026, at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, the Italian Trade Agency Bangkok, in collaboration with the Fondazione Sommelier Italiana and with the support of the Embassy of Italy in Thailand, held the Diploma Night Closing Ceremony marking the completion of the second period of the First Certified Italian Sommelier Course in Thailand.

During the ceremony, Mrs. Paola Guida, Trade Commissioner of Italian Trade Agency Bangkok, awarded diplomas to 25 out of 30 participants who successfully completed the course. Notably, five participants achieved outstanding results with final scores above 90/100, reflecting an exceptional level of excellence.

The diploma grants a professional qualification recognized in 32 countries worldwide and is legally endorsed by the Italian Republic through the Worldwide Sommelier Association, representing a significant milestone for Italian wine education in Thailand.

Fondazione Italiana Sommelier

On 19 January, the First Italian Sommelier Wine Course in Thailand entered its second period, organized by the Italian Trade Agency Bangkok in collaboration with the Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and supported by the Embassy of Italy in Thailand.

The course continues with Ms. Sara Tosti as the lead instructor throughout 19-31 January, guiding participants through advanced training sessions that will culminate in the final certification exam.

Upon completion, Thailand will proudly welcome its first group of certified Italian Wine Sommeliers, marking an important milestone in the promotion of Italian wine culture and professional education in the country. 🍷🇮🇹

On 20 December 2025, the Italian Trade Agency Bangkok and the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok successfully kicked off the festive season with “Run & Refresh: La Colazione Italiana”, a joyful morning run followed by an authentic Italian breakfast at Dolcetto Italian Cafe.

Participants embraced the Italian spirit, running together at dawn before gathering to enjoy a healthy and convivial Italian breakfast, reflecting the values of balance, well-being, and food culture at the heart of Italian Cuisine Week 2025.

Selected runners received a limited-edition Run & Refresh T-shirt and a commemorative gift, making the morning both memorable and meaningful.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event a perfect start to the holiday season. 🎄🇮🇹

Dolcetto Italian Café Bangkok

🇮🇹 Vinitaly 2026 Preview in Bangkok - Event Highlights
8 December 2025 at Celadon, The Sukhothai Bangkok

The Italian Trade Agency Bangkok and The Embassy of Italy in Thailand were pleased to host the Vinitaly 2026 Preview Dinner in Bangkok, as part of Vinitaly’s expanding international network. A special evening dedicated to promoting Italian wine excellence in Thailand, one of Asia’s most dynamic and fast-growing markets for premium wines.

The event welcomed distinguished guests for a curated program featuring a Vinitaly presentation, networking session, and an exclusive Thai cuisine & Italian wine pairing dinner.

The Bangkok preview is part of Vinitaly’s 2025-2026 global roadmap to promote the internationalization of Italian wine companies and attract professional buyers to the upcoming 58th Vinitaly, taking place in Verona from 12-15 April 2026.

We extend our sincere thanks to all invited guests who joined us in celebrating the harmony between authentic Italian wines and the rich heritage of Thai gastronomy.

Stay tuned for updates on Vinitaly 2026 and Italy’s continuing initiatives in Thailand.

Confindustria Sardegna and under the patronage of the Department of Industry of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, together with , The Italian Trade Agency Bangkok successfully concluded the Sardinia Meets Thailand Food & Wine Business Mission on 2-3 December 2025.

More than 15 Sardinian Food & Wine companies joined the program, presenting high-quality products rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and the Blue Zone heritage of health and longevity.

The B2B event, held on 2 December at Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, welcomed Thai importers, distributors, retailers, and HORECA professionals for a full day of meetings and product showcases, strengthening commercial ties and opening new opportunities for collaboration.

On 3 December, the delegation also visited Gourmet Market, Makro, Tops Food Hall and Villa Market, where representatives gained valuable insights into Thailand’s wholesale and HORECA supply landscape through an informative briefing and guided tour.

A sincere thank you to all Thai operators, partners, and industry professionals who participated and contributed to the success of this initiative. We look forward to fostering even stronger connections between Sardinia and Thailand’s thriving food and beverage sectors!