Sunny's Diary

I've Moved

2007-05-14T12:00:00.000+07:00

No, I haven't moved anywhere physically. It's just a move in cyberspace.

Please visit my new blog at http://songphon.wordpress.com/

Thailand's Rose Postage Stamp 2006

2006-02-07T16:44:00.000+07:00

It's the time of a year again to celebrate the month of love. This year, like last year, Thailand Post has issued the "Rose" postage stamp in the vertical shape. The rose featured in this year stamp is "Chulalongkorn" rose, a hybrid between a European rose and a Chinese rose. The rose was named after His Majesty the King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) by the Royal consort, Her Highness Princes Jao Dara Rasamee in remembrance of her Royal husband. In fact, H.H. Princess Jao Dara Rasamee had her own experimental farm in Dara Pirom Palace in Mae Rim district, Chaingmai province. One of her favorite species of rose is this beautiful "Chulalongkorn" rose which has a long straight stem with a big dark pink flower and a strong sweet fragrance. Thus, the "Chulalongkorn" rose stamp is a perfect love memorabilia.

Specification

Release Date: 7 February 2006
Number of Copies: 1,000,000
Type: Sheet of 10
Value (in THB): 5.00 ฿
Printing Style: Embossed Lithography
Printer: Thai British Security Printing Public Company Limited, Thailand
Design: Parichart Tassanathep

SCS Thailand "Eternity" Launch Party

2006-02-04T22:45:00.000+07:00

Time really flies. It has been exactly a year since I wrote about "Harmony," Swarovski Crystal Society (SCS) Annual Edition 2005 crystal piece, the first of the trilogy "Wonders of the Sea" 2005-2007. Today, I was invited as a member of SCS to the launch party of "Eternity," SCS Annual Edition 2006 crystal piece, the second creation in the aforementioned trilogy. To be precise, the date and the venue of the party was exactly the same as last year: the first Saturday of February at the Royal Ballroom, the Oriental Bangkok. I marked the calendar and certainly didn't miss this glittering chance to meet the talented designer of "Eternity," Mr. Michael Stamey and had him sign my Swarovski silver crystal collection, including both "Eternity" pieces that are released in clear and colored cut crystal.

"Eternity" depicts a sea turtle, the symbol of longevity and thousand years of luck. This masterpiece does not only have a meaningful name but also have a wonderful design that it could be placed together with its predecessor in the trilogy "Harmony" in perfect harmony. Every year SCS never let us down by coming up with an unexpected creation. I wonder what the last and final crystal piece of the "Wonders of the Sea" trilogy will be looked like and how special it would be. That would certainly be answered next year.

Thai Charity for Tsunami Victims Commemorative Stamps

2005-12-26T16:04:00.000+07:00

This set of stamps is released to commemorate one year of the Tsunami, the giant tidal wave, disaster in Thailand. There are 5,395 people known to have been killed in Thailand by the disaster, and nearly 3,000 people were still missing. More than 2,000 casualties were the tourists.

Specification

Release Date: 26 December 2005
Number of Copies: 1,500,000 pieces/design
Type: Sheet of 20 (mixed)
Value (in THB): 3.00 ฿ (2 designs)

Design 1 : Illustrates Tsunami, the giant tidal wave. Designed by Ms. Mayuree Narknisorn.
Design 2 : Illustrates the assistance given to Tsunami's victims. This is a picture drawn by a girl named Chanipa Temprom.

Printing Style: Lithography
Printer: Thai British Security Printing Public Company Limited, Thailand

Highly Revered Monk Postage Stamp

2005-12-05T09:55:00.000+07:00

Following the big success of two previous Buddhism related postage stamps, Thailand Post has come up with another fail-proof popular postage stamp depicted four of Thailand's greatest monks of all time. These highly revered monks have been greatly respected by Buddhists all over Thailand for years even though some passed away more than hundred years ago. The popularity of this set of postage stamps could perfectly reflect Thai society and culture which is closely based on Buddhism and its related icons.

Specification

Release Date: 5 December 2005
Number of Copies: 1,500,000 pieces/design
Type: Sheet of 20 (mixed)
Value (in THB): 5.00 ฿ (4 designs)

Design 1 : Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Brahmaramsi)
Design 2 : Phra Ratchamuni Samiram Khunupamachan (Luangpu Thuat)
Design 3 : Phra Acharn Man Bhuridatto
Design 4 : Khruba Sri Wichai

Printing Style: Intaglio and Lithography - Multi Color
Printer: Note Printing Works, Bank of Thailand
Design: Thaveeporn Thongkhambai

The "New Theory" Agriculture According to His Majesty's Initiative Project Postage Stamp

2005-12-05T05:55:00.000+07:00

This set of postage stamps has been announced to be released since the fifth of December 2004. However, it's been postponed and release a year later. I think Thailand Post has to make sure that it has an official letter of acknowledgement from the Royal Palace Secretariat Office before it could issue this highly valuable postage stamps depicting His Majesty the King's pictures and his initiative project on the "new theory" agriculture which promotes self-sufficient economy, in the time Thailand faced an economic crisis a couple of years ago. Without all these projects, Thai farmers would have been suffered from the crisis in an immeasurable degree. Thus, the postage stamps perfectly commemorate the talent of His Majesty the King and are certainly worth collecting.

Specification

Release Date: 5 December 2005
Number of Copies: 1,000,000 pieces/design
Type: Sheet of 30 (mixed)
Value (in THB): 3.00 ฿ (2 designs)
Printing Style: Lithography - Multi Color
Printer: Chan Wanich Security Printing Company Limited, Thailand
Design: Udorn Niyomthum

Gable Postage Stamp

2005-08-04T23:50:00.000+07:00

This year could be considered as a new era for the design of Thai postage stamps. I guess it might be because of the autonomy of Thailand Post from the state enterprise and becoming the company limited. In order to generate more revenue as there would be no more supporting fund from the government, Thailand post has to come up with a better service quality and more imaginative idea for the collector's stamps that "could be sold" well. First, there was the first ever circular shape stamp in Thailand (see the "Panda Stamp") and now there is the first ever triangular shape stamp to be released.

Gables are the triangular parts on either end of the roofs of ancient buildings including the Buddhist temple main building and the Royal palace. They could be presented in many styles, such as carving in wood or molding from cement, in accordance with the building structure. Gables are considered as a distinctive architectural feature and valuable for historical purpose. The idea of putting the pictures (and shape) of the gables on postage stamps is fantastic. It's certainly a one-of-a-kind collector's postage stamp.

Specification

Release Date: 4 August 2005
Number of Copies: 1,500,000 pieces/design
Type: Sheet of 16 (mixed)
Value (in THB): 5.00 ฿ (4 designs)

Design 1 : Gable of the Scripture Library at Wat Phra Sing Woramahawihan, Chiang Mai
Design 2 : Gable of the Uposatha Hall at Wat Khao Bandai It, Phetchaburi
Design 3 : Gable of the Stupa at Wat Phra Phai Luang, Sukhothai
Design 4 : Gable of Prasat Phanom Rung, Bururam

Printing Style: Photogravure - Multi Color
Printer: Joh. Enschedé Stamps Security Printers B.V., Haarlem, the Netherlands
Design: Veena Chantanatat

Panda Postage Stamp

2005-07-01T21:10:00.000+07:00

Thailand and China share a long history together. In fact, it is said that Thai people immigrated to the land called "Thailand" from somewhere in the southern part of China some thousands years ago. Through thick and thin, the relation between Thailand and China is stronger from generations to generations of people. Anyway, after World War the Second, the official diplomatic relation between Kingdom of Thailand and People's Republic of China was established on July 1, 1975. This year marks the 30th anniversary of such relation. To commemorate this auspicious event, Thailand Post issue a set of 2 commemorative stamps depicted pictures of Pandas named "Chuang Chuang" and "Lin Hui" (or "Taewan" and "Taewee" in Thai.) These pandas came from China under a governmental contract and will stay in Chiang Mai zoo for a limited time of 10 years. They act as ambassadors of goodwill and symbolize an awareness for wildlife preservation in Thailand.

The special part of this commemorative postage stamps is not only the occasion in which it has been issued but also the design of the stamps itself. This set of stamps is the first ever in Thailand to bare a circular shape. This mark as a new era for stamps with unusual shape to be emerged in the future.

Specification

Release Date: 1 July 2005
Number of Copies: 2,000,000 pieces/design
Type: Sheet of 20 (mixed)
Value (in THB): 3.00 ฿ (2 designs)
Printing Style: Lithography - Multi Color
Printer: Thai British Security Printing, Thailand
Design: Thaneth Ponchaiwong

5 Precious Warrior Amulets Postage Stamp

2005-06-19T22:05:00.000+07:00

Last year, Thailand Post issued a collection of 5 Precious Amulets (Buddha Images Resemblances) postage stamps set and it was a phenomenon. Both philatelist and Thai amulet collectors as well as general public were going crazy to acquire this limited issue of postage stamp and make the set one of the most sought-after stamp of the year. This year, the amulets collection postage stamps make a come back with the new design for the second edition, which is called "Phra Yot Khunphon" or literally translated as "the Great Warrior Amulets." The collection comes in different 5 designs in 5 different postage stamps. There are also a Souvenir Sheet and First Day Cover to commemorate the issue of the stamps.

Unlike last year, this year I made a reservation for this set of postage stamps as well as its commemorative set at the local post office in advance. So I don't have to sweat myself queuing in front of the post office on its day of issue. The stamps are delivered directly right to my door step. What a bless!

Specification

Release Date: 19 June 2005
Number of Copies: 2,000,000 pieces/design
Type: Sheet of 20 (mixed)
Value (in THB): 9.00 ฿ (5 designs)
Printing Style: Lithography - Multi Color
Printer: Thai British Security Printing, Thailand
Design: Udom Niyomtham

Thailand's Rose Postage Stamp 2005

2005-02-10T22:10:00.000+07:00

It has been about three or four years in a row since Thailand Post annually issues a rose postage stamp in commemoration with Valentine's Day. (Even though celebrating Valentine's Day is definitely not a Thai tradition, we seems to live in an age of globalization where pop culture rules among youngsters.) This year is no exception. The 2005 Thailand Post's rose stamp is designed to have an extra long shape to fully display a "Velvet Rose" with its stem. It's also the first ever Thai stamp to be printed on velvet's like paper and coated with rose's like fragrance in order to make It feels like touching (and smelling) a real rose.

As a philatelist, I wouldn't miss a chance to add this special stamp in my collection. Thailand Post also issues the First Day Cover along with the stamp.

Specification

Release Date: 10 February 2005
Number of Copies: 3,000,000
Type: Sheet of 10
Value (in THB): 5.00 ฿
Printing Style: Lithography - Multi Color
Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France
Design: Parichart Tassanathep

From Crystal to Stamp

2005-02-08T15:45:00.000+07:00

Yes, it's the first ever postage stamp with real crystals. This is a product of a collaboration between the Austrian Post and Swarovski, the world's well-known crystal manufacturer. In fact, this crystal postage stamp has been released since September 2004 and could only be obtained from the Austrian post offices and the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Austria. I had tried to find a way to buy this stamp (from outside Austria) since the first day of release but was not successful. I don't know why I didn't realize the advantage of the Internet sooner. Anyway, fortunately, last month I found a link leaded to the Austrian Post web page, which allowed me to order this stamp (as well as other Austrian stamps) online. Finally, last week, my long-awaited crystal postage stamps arrived safely by an airmail in a well-secured package. As a philatelist and a crystal collector myself, this item is definitely a must-have for my collection. I guess any other stamp collectors as well as crystal collectors worldwide would agree with me.

Specification

Release Date: 20 September 2004
Number of Copies: 500,000
Type: Block (of 2) issue
Value (in EUR): 2 × 3.75 €
Printing Style: Photogravure
Design: Renate Gruber

SCS Thailand "Harmony" Launch Party

2005-02-05T22:45:00.000+07:00

I have got an invitation from Swarovski Crystal Society (SCS) Thailand to a launch party of the 2005 Annual Edition "Harmony," the first crystal piece from the latest trilogy of 2005-2007 "Wonders of the Sea." This is also the first time ever that the Annual Edition, which is exclusively for a member of SCS, is available in both colored and clear crystal. It doesn't take much time for me as a SCS member to decide to buy both versions of this year's Annual Edition. I just can't help falling in love (at the first sight!) with the unique and creative design of "Harmony." The crystal looks alive, especially under the spotlight, where the reflection of the light from every facets of the crystal seems like a dazzling underwater world - depicted perfectly the name of the trilogy "Wonders of the Sea."

Another highlight of the activities is a chance to meet Martin Zendron, a Swarovski's designer who designed this wonderful "Harmony" crystal piece. The Annual Edition with the designer's signature is every collector's dream comes true. I wouldn't miss this chance to have Mr. Zendron signed not only both of my Annual Editions but also my other Swarovski's collection pieces designed by him.

The party ended with a lucky draw for members of SCS. Even though I was not lucky enough to win the prize, I was happy with the new addition of my Swarovski's crystal collection. I am looking forward to next year's Annual Edition.

PS. There is a news that something is going on between Swarovski and Disney. "It all started with a mouse... and now there's something new!" said the last page of Swarovski Magazine (January/February 2005). There would be no wonder if Disney's Mickey Mouse and friends would appear in crystal form. The question is how beautiful they will look like. That is what to be seen.