DIEGO SALA
Founder and Managing Director of Siam Trade Development
Diego Sala is an Italian born regulatory advisor, international business strategist and entrepreneur based in Thailand. He is the founder and Managing Director of Siam Trade Development, a consulting company specializing in healthcare regulation, market access, foreign investment and business development in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Over the past decade, Diego Sala has become recognized as one of the most experienced foreign specialists working within the Thai regulatory environment, particularly in the fields of medical devices, dietary supplements, cosmetics, food products and healthcare-related licensing. His work focuses on helping international companies navigate the practical and regulatory challenges of entering and operating in Thailand, combining compliance, commercial strategy and operational implementation.
Unlike many professionals operating in the sector, Sala developed his expertise through direct and continuous interaction with Thai regulatory authorities, including the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA), the Board of Investment (BOI), the Department of Agriculture and other government agencies. He belongs to a small group of foreign professionals who have built their careers through day-to-day project execution inside the Thai regulatory system, often operating across significant linguistic and cultural barriers.
Today, his company supports clients from Europe, China, the United States, the Middle East and ASEAN, and serves as a trusted partner not only for international investors but increasingly for local Thai companies and professional firms seeking specialized regulatory expertise.
Early Career and International Experience
Before relocating permanently to Thailand in 2015, Diego Sala spent more than two decades working in international business development, marketing, operations and commercial strategy.
His professional career included projects and assignments across Italy, Turkey, Iran, Albania, the United States, China, Indonesia and Morocco, often within highly regulated industries and challenging international environments.
During this period he gained extensive experience in cross-border business development, international trade, logistics, industrial projects and market-entry strategies. Several assignments involved operations in complex geopolitical environments, requiring a practical understanding of compliance, risk management and international business relations.
These experiences shaped a multidisciplinary approach that remains central to his work today: regulatory compliance is not viewed as an isolated technical activity, but as one component of a broader commercial and operational strategy.
Sala holds a degree in Modern Languages and Literatures from the University of Genoa and later completed postgraduate studies in marketing, management, logistics, law and regulatory affairs.
Regulatory Work in Thailand
Since founding Siam Trade Development, Sala has led hundreds of projects involving healthcare products, manufacturing operations, foreign investment initiatives and market-access programs in Thailand.
His work has covered a broad range of sectors, including:
- Medical Devices
- Dietary Supplements
- Cosmetics
- Food Products
- Manufacturing Licensing
- Import and Distribution Licensing
- Foreign Business Structures
- Board of Investment (BOI) Projects
- Healthcare Market Access
- ASEAN Regulatory Strategy
Over time, his role expanded beyond regulatory submissions to include manufacturing projects, investment planning, operational structuring and international expansion initiatives.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of his work is the integration of regulatory strategy with practical implementation. Rather than approaching compliance as a standalone administrative exercise, projects are developed with consideration for commercial viability, operational feasibility and long-term sustainability.
This practical orientation has made Siam Trade Development a preferred partner not only for international companies entering Thailand but also for local organizations seeking specialized expertise in complex regulatory matters.
Industry Recognition and Professional Activities
Throughout his career, Sala has been a frequent speaker, trainer and workshop facilitator on topics related to healthcare regulation, medical devices, dietary supplements, market access and foreign investment.
He has delivered presentations and training sessions for regulatory professionals, manufacturers, government agencies, chambers of commerce and industry associations across Thailand, China and other international markets. His presentations are known for their practical focus and emphasis on implementation rather than purely theoretical interpretation of regulations.
His work has contributed to increasing dialogue between international businesses and Thai regulatory authorities, particularly in sectors where compliance requirements can represent significant barriers to market entry.
Professional Associations and Leadership Roles
In addition to his activities within Siam Trade Development, Sala actively participates in several international business organizations operating in Thailand.
He serves as a Member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Thai-Russian Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, contributing to initiatives aimed at strengthening commercial cooperation and investment between Thailand and international business communities.
He is also the founder of the SME Committee of the Thai-Russian Chamber of Commerce, established to support the development and representation of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Thailand.
Furthermore, Sala serves as a Voting Member of the SME Committee of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT), one of the country’s most influential organizations representing foreign business interests. Through this role, he contributes to discussions and recommendations concerning Thailand’s business environment, foreign investment policies and SME development.
These positions complement his regulatory activities by providing direct exposure to the practical challenges faced by international companies operating in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Professional Philosophy
Although his professional career has been largely dedicated to regulatory affairs and international business, Sala’s academic background is rooted in the humanities.
This combination of humanistic studies, commercial experience and regulatory practice has significantly influenced his approach to business and leadership.
Throughout his career, he has maintained the view that regulations should ultimately serve people rather than bureaucracy, and that ethical considerations should precede commercial interests whenever important decisions are made.
A principle frequently shared with colleagues and collaborators is simple:
Before asking whether something can be done, ask whether it should be done.
In a world increasingly influenced by automation and artificial intelligence, Sala advocates for using technology to strengthen human judgment rather than replace it. He often summarizes this perspective through a concept that guides both his professional and personal approach:
The objective is not to make people think more like machines, but to make machines work better for people.
Trust, transparency, respect and long-term relationships remain central elements of his business philosophy and of the corporate culture developed within Siam Trade Development.
Today
Based in Bangkok, Diego Sala continues to lead Siam Trade Development while supporting manufacturers, investors, healthcare organizations and regulatory professionals throughout Asia.
His current activities focus on healthcare regulation, manufacturing projects, foreign investment initiatives and the development of practical solutions that make Thailand more accessible to international businesses while maintaining full compliance with local laws and regulations.
More broadly, his work seeks to bridge the gap between global innovation and local implementation, helping companies transform regulatory complexity into sustainable business opportunities.
Selected Positions and Appointments
- Founder and Managing Director, Siam Trade Development
- Member of the Board of Directors, Thai-Russian Chamber of Commerce
- Treasurer, Thai-Russian Chamber of Commerce
- Founder, SME Committee, Thai-Russian Chamber of Commerce
- Voting Member, SME Committee, Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT)
- Speaker and Trainer on Thai FDA, Medical Devices, Dietary Supplements, Healthcare Regulation and Foreign Investment in Thailand
“Regulations do not exist to stop innovation. They exist to ensure that innovation can be trusted.”