Get To Know Thai Stamp History Of Thai Stamp Our story begins in the reign of King Rama IV (1851 – 1868). In those days, before the existence of a postal service in Thailand, people sent letters through messengers or friends who were traveling within or out of the country. With the signing of the Bowring Treaty in 1855, Thailand opened up for foreign trade. The presence of foreign businesses and consulates in Bangkok necessitated a postal service. This was setup in 1867 by the British Postal Service and run by the British consulate in Bangkok purely for communications between consulates. As Thailand had no stamps of her own then, she used stamps of British India which were also used in the Straits Settlements, Malacca, Penang and Singapore. Stamps for use in Bangkok were marked with a capital "B". The mail was routed through Singapore and had a Singapore postmark. In 1875, during the reign of King Rama V (1868 – 1910), Prince Bhanurangsri Sawangwongse, younger brother of the king, published a newspaper "Court" for royalty and high officials. A local stamp was affixed for delivery services. This laid the groundwork for the Thai postal service in the future. Philatelic Museum - the advent of the postal service In 1880 some members of the government felt a pressing need for a postal service for the general public and petitioned King Rama V. The king agreed. Fittingly Prince Bhanurangsri was tasked to do this and was appointed the first Director General of the Post Department. The first post office was built in Charoen Krung Road by the Chao Phraya River near the mouth of the Ong-Ang canal. Thai stamp history - the first stamp issue With the establishment of the domestic postal service, Thailand issued her first postage stamp on 4 August 1883; 43 years after "Penny Black" the world's first prepaid adhesive postage stamps appeared in England. The first set of stamps had the portrait of King Rama V, was designed by William Ridgeway and printed by the Waterlow Printing Company of England. The stamps bore no country name and were only for domestic use. The Thais had their own nickname for these stamps, "Solot", after the price of the stamp in the old currency. The Category Of Stamp Current Stamp/Definitive Stamp A postage stamp printed for regular use. It will be printed regularly to satisfy the demand of the postal business. Thailand Post is in charge of considering what images should be printed on the stamps. The stamp may display the image of the present king or other images. Commemorative Stamp A postage stamp with an attractive design printed occasionally to commemorate special occasions or events, or for important festivals such as Songkran Day, Red Cross Day and more. Special Stamp A postage stamp with a fine image printed to promote highlights of Thailand, for instance, stamp collections of Thai fruit, wild life and many others. Souvenir Sheet A sheet with a single design or a collection of commemorative stamps.