• 
• 

Published on August 8, 2007

Postage stamps reflect "the country's geography and history", says Anusra Chitmittrapap of Thailand Post marketing. They also track some our most beloved arts and crafts.

"Art of the Kingdom" is the theme of the 20th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, which the state agency is hosting this week in Siam Paragon's Royal Paragon Hall.

A collaboration with the Philatelists Association of Thailand, the event celebrates Her Majesty the Queen's 75th birthday.

Some of the stamps on view will depict products from Her Majesty's Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques. In an edition released in February, handmade wooden dolls appear on lithographed stamps covered with golden foil.

Another set illustrates handicrafts made with the shiny wings of the malangtab, a wood-boring beetle. The "metallic" wings are used in embroidery and to decorate yarn liphao basketry.

There are four ornaments featured on this set, released this month, in the shape of animals - a peacock, rooster, duck and swan.

"Stamps never lose their charm," Anusra says. "There's is always a broad appeal, and of course, sending mail remains an effective medium of communication in the country's more remote areas."

The highlight of the exhibition is the private collection of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, which includes stamps issued since the reign of King Rama V.

Visitors will be able to see the "Solot Issue" - the first stamps issued primarily for domestic use, which bear a portrait of King Chulalongkorn in an oval frame.

The "Rejected Dye Issue" has another portrayal of Rama V, but it was deemed unacceptable and never released.

Collecting stamps, the Princess said at the exhibition's opening, is a reflection of individual determination. She recommended the hobby as a source of endless happiness that revolves around refined and beautiful items.

Also on view is the "Top of the World" collection supported by international stamp dealers David Feldman SA - valuable and distinctive stamps from every corner of the world, together worth many million baht. 

The smallest stamp in the world is there - the "Dusit Thani Issue" used in Siam's original democratic model city - and India's upside-down "Four Annas". You can see the first stamp issued in Greece, in 1861, depicting the Roman goddess Ceres and valued at Bt300,000.

The "Post Paid Issue" from Mauritius when it was a British colony is worth more than Bt1 million. An Afghanistan stamp from 1873 bears a lion's head. There are also Brazil's "Bull's Eyes Issue" from 1848 and an Egyptian stamp from 1867.

Anusra, who's been with Thailand Post for more than 30 years, is a stamp collector too and says she gets tremendous pleasure from the hobby.

"You learn a lot from stamps, and the knowledge is invaluable. Every stamp has a story - about the country of origin and where it's been, and about the occasion when it was issued."

Visitors can also buy a limited-edition postcard handmade with materials from three regions of Thailand. They cost Bt75, with all proceeds going to Her Majesty's foundation.

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation