The Mall Group Chairwoman receives the highest Italian civilian award

What: Supaluck Umpujh, chairwoman of The Mall Group, has been awarded the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy for her contributions to strengthening cultural and business ties between Italy and Thailand.

Why it is important: The award demonstrates how retail executives can serve as cultural ambassadors, using their platforms to foster bilateral ties and promote national heritage in the global marketplace.

Supaluck Umpujh, chairwoman of The Mall Group and The EM District, has been formally conferred the title of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy by the Italian Republic. This prestigious honor recognizes her exceptional contributions to advancing bilateral relations between Italy and Thailand, particularly in the fields of art, culture, lifestyle, and design. The investiture ceremony, held at the Italian Embassy in Bangkok, celebrated Supaluck’s role in promoting Italian heritage and fostering creative exchanges through The Mall Group’s retail initiatives. The Order of the Star of Italy is one of the nation’s highest honors for foreign citizens who have demonstrated outstanding merit in strengthening international relations. Supaluck expressed her gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to furthering cultural and creative collaboration between the two countries. Her recognition underscores the growing role of retail leaders as cultural ambassadors and highlights the strategic importance of cross-border partnerships and cultural engagement in building brand reputation and international influence.

IADS Notes:

Supaluck Umpujh’s knighthood by the Italian Republic is the latest in a series of international recognitions that underscore her influence as a retail and cultural ambassador. As reported by Monocle in September 2025, her leadership has transformed The Mall Group into a model for Asian luxury retail, with a strong emphasis on cross-cultural exchange and international partnerships . The Bangkok Post in July 2025 and The Nation in August 2025 highlighted The Mall Group’s strategic collaborations in China and with UnionPay International, demonstrating how the group leverages cultural engagement to build brand reputation and foster bilateral ties . Supaluck’s multiple awards, including the Future Trends “Leader of Leader” award (March 2025) and ACES Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (November 2024), set a benchmark for industry leadership and innovation . Inside Retail in January 2025 and the Bangkok Post in April 2025 described how The Mall Group’s integration of art, design, and lifestyle into its retail spaces has redefined the customer experience in Thailand . Finally, Press Releases in October and September 2024 recognized Supaluck as one of Asia’s most influential women and honored her with the Her Awards, UNFPA Thailand 2024, for her impact on gender equality and retail leadership .

The Mall Group Chairwoman receives the highest Italian civilian award