The ship’s arrival in Phuket aligns with efforts to strengthen ties between the Royal Thai Navy and the Italian Navy.
Joining the formal meeting were Capt Marco Corsi, Assistant Defense Attache of Italy to the Republic of Singapore, along with Rear Admiral Uthai Yangwilai, Deputy Commander of the Third Naval Area Command at Cape Panwa, noted an official report of the meeting.
The Vespucci, often celebrated as the “most beautiful ship in the world”, arrived at Phuket’s Deep Sea Port late Tuesday (Nov 5) for its first-ever visit to Thailand.
The stop in Phuket marks a key leg in the ship’s world tour, which began in Genoa in June 2023 and is set to conclude in Italy by June 2025.
The Vespucci’s official visit, which extends until Sunday (Nov 10), is open to the public, with daily tours showcasing Italian culture, art and maritime history. While tour slots filled quickly, walk-in visitors are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis.
During its time docked at the Phuket Deep Sea Port, the ship offers visitors an immersive Italian cultural experience, with onboard attractions such as Italian cuisine, exhibitions and screenings of classic Italian films.
Notable displays include the Olympic torch from Italy’s first Olympic Games and a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s famous statue ‘David’.
The ship, which serves as a floating cultural ambassador, is touring 15 major ports worldwide and has already garnered significant interest, with thousands of Thai and international visitors registering for tours.
Paolo Dionisi, Italian Ambassador to Thailand, underscored the importance of the ship’s visit, remarking that this visit to Thailand not only enhances Italian-Thai relations, which have spanned 156 years, but also reflects the deep cultural connection shared between the two countries.
The ship’s stay in Phuket also provides an opportunity for cultural and professional exchange. Eight Thai naval cadets participated in onboard training with the Italian crew, highlighting the strong military cooperation between the two nations.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat expressed delight at hosting the ‘Amerigo Vespucci’, noting that the visit serves as a bridge between Italian and Thai cultures.
As part of the festivities, Phuket will host a gala dinner tomorrow (Nov 8), featuring a fashion show in honour of HM The King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday anniversary.
After departing Phuket this Sunday, the Vespucci will make its way to India, where it will remain in port in Mumbai from Nov 28 to Dec 2.