Chiang Mai Thailand

Next is again an Asian card, this time from Thailand.

I think that this is a kind of a view every postcard collector loves coming across when travelling. Not only because of the large choice of postcards, but just look at the way they have been arranged, so appealing to the eye!
This is a scene in the Wualai Walking Street in Chiang Mai. You know, I never heard of Chiang Mai until I met these two lovely ladies during my trip in Vientiane. French girls who actually lived in Chian Mai and while talking to them I realized what a lovely place this is, though maybe it has become way too touristy for my taste, but still.
Unfortunately, from what I could see, they had to leave Thailand for good few months ago, but I hope life is still good for them back in France. Big hug to Sandrine and Claire while we are at it.

again, a bunch of super-fantastic stamps! The mailboxes were issued in 2016 in a set of 10 for the National Children's Day and they feature AESAN mailboxes (the red one is from Thailand while the yellow one from Vietnam). The owls are from a set of 4 issued in 2013 (on the top is the collared owlet or Glaucidium brodiei, while underneath is the collared scops owl or the Otus lettia.)

Wat Saket, Thailand

This card arrived as an official few years ago

TH-82554

The card shows the Golden Mountain (or Phu Khao Thong), one of the Buddhist temples in Bangkok. 

The Wat Saket is a low hill crowned with a gleaming gold chedi. Within, the 58-metre chedi houses a Buddha relic and welcomes worshippers all year round. The temple also hosts an annual temple fair in November, which lasts a week during Loy Krathong.
The temple is now a popular Bangkok tourist attraction and has become one of the symbols of the city.

the stamp is a definitive from 2007, showing Hat Pattaya.

The Temple of Dawn, Thailand

Going over to a different part of the world, a beautiful card from my French postcard fairy....

the card shows The Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, which was built in 17th century on the bank of Chao Phraya River. The main feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower) which is encrusted with colourful porcelain.This is interpreted as a stupa-like pagoda encrusted with coloured faience.[6] The height is reported by different sources as between 66.8 m and 86 m. The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite prang. The prang are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.
The central prang symbolises Mount Meru of the Hindu cosmology. The satellite prang are devoted to the wind god, Phra Phai. The demons (yaksha) at the entranceway to the ubosot are from the Ramakien.

the stamp on the right was issued in 2014, as part of the 3 New Year stamps...the other one was issued in 2010, featuring H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX).

Thank you so much JP!!

The Death Railway, Thailand

A really cool card I received at the beginning of the year..The Death Railway...how can it not be cool :D

here is what google says about it:
"In 1943 thousands of Allied Prisoners of War (PoW) and Asian labourers worked on the Death Railway under the imperial Japanese army in order to construct part of the 415 km long Burma-Thailand railway. Most of these men were Australians, Dutch and British and they had been working steadily southwards from Thanbyuzayat (Burma) to link with other PoW on the Thai side of the railway. This railway was intended to move men and supplies to the Burmese front where the Japanese were fighting the British. Japanese army engineers selected the route which traversed deep valleys and hills. All the heavy work was done manually either by hand or by elephant as earth moving equipment was not available. The railway line originally ran within 50 meters of the Three Pagodas Pass which marks nowadays the border to Burma. However after the war the entire railway was removed and sold as it was deemed unsafe and politically undesirable. The prisoners lived in squalor with a near starvation diet. They were subjected to captor brutality and thus thousands perished. The men worked from dawn until after dark and often had to trudge many kilometres through the jungle to return to base camp where Allied doctors tended the injured and diseased by many died. After the war the dead were collectively reburied in the War Cemeteries and will remain forever witness to a brutal and tragic ordeal.

Funny fact: The Bridge On the River Kwai (where the movie was shot) is actually part of the Death Railway!
Haven't watched it though...

nice stamps! left one issued in 2012 in a set of 8 stamps commemorating the Centennial of the RTAF Founding Fathers' Aviation (Im sure Glenn would like this stamp :)). The other one was issued in 2009, marking His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 82nd Birthday

Akha Hilltribe, Thailand

well, since i've already mentioned Thailand in my previous post, here comes one card from there.

I received it earlier this year through a swap with Nina. I love such cards with people, and Thailand + Taiwan seem to have loads of them!
The Akha are an indigenous hill tribe that live in small villages at high altitudes in the mountains and are one of the six hilltribes left in the north of Thailand. They live on agriculture such as rice, corn, beans. They used to grow opiums too but they are unlawful now.
Smoking pipes seems to be very popular there as well.

and Nina used a number of lovely stamps here! <3 The four flower ones were issued in 2009 (they comprise the whole set), and were issued for the New Year 2010 actually. The fifth stamp on the left is from a set of four Cultural Heritage stamps issued in 2000.

thank you very much Nina, for both the great card and stamps!

Surin Beach, Thailand

A fantastic surprise from JP! The postcard fairy all over the postcard-sphere :)

He sent this card from the Phuket island, and this card in particular shows the Surin Beach. A few more words about Phuket, in an older post I have here.

Surin is on the west coast of Phuket, known as 'Millionaires Row' due the the top-end celebrity haunts as well as the many US$ 1 million+ houses that sit proudly on top of the hills overlooking the Andaman Sea. Although popular with tourists it's not a busy resort town but more like a coastal village.
As it is usual with these kind of beaches, it has crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches...just lovely, no?

And JP definitely has his way of finding great stamps as well...all the stamps were issued in 2010...the middle one is from a set of 10 definitives portraying H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX), while the two long stamps are from a set of 4 representing the 50th Anniversary of Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Thailand

Next comes a map card I received back in 2009.

It is one of those very nice antique-kind of maps and this one shows the Kingdom of Siam, which is actually the name of Thailand before 24 June 1939 and again from 8 September 1945 to 20 July 1949

Here you can also see shown the Islands of Sumatra and Java as well as the Kingdom of Cambodia...as well as a glimpse of the Kingdom of Pegu (in what today is supposed to be Myanmar), China and Tonquin (which are both considered as part of Vietnam) and the K. of Chiampa (which is a region somewhere between Cambodia and Vietnam).
Quite a division they have had.....confusing for someone who doesnt actually have a good hold of today's geography and history...yeah yeah, I know...skipping lessons and not paying attention thereto in school.
But I have my cards to give me an insight and enlighten me...so see why postcards' collection is a valuable investment? :)

Hua Hin, Thailand

A lovely official card from Thailand.

TH-65460

And actually I barely get cards from Thailand, so this one is a nice refreshment.
The card shows a popular holiday place in Thailand called Hua-Hin. This is the Hua Hin Beach, which extends some five kilometers southwards from a rocky headland until Kao Takiap, a southern headland where a Buddhist temple clings to the cliffs.
Can you imagine a Buddhist temple amidst this kind of surrounding? Not me.
And again this card makes me yearn more and more for some warm sunny weather....the cold grey skies we keep having here are simply killing me mentally....

The first stamp is from a set of 6 stamps called Tin Toys, issued in 2010, while the other 3 orchid are from a set of 9 stamps called Amazing Thailand, issued in 2008. 

Thailand

Believe it or not, but Thailand can be considered a rare country in my collection...I realized that just now and I think that it is Taiwan actually which is more popular postcard-wise.

I got this lovely map card from dear Sissel from her recent trips. You know, I think that the richest people in the world arent the one who have the most money but the ones who have actually travelled a lot and who get to speak many different languages. I think I am on the edge of survival on that scale just that I am not eligible to apply for any sort of social help :)

Apart from the map, the card shows several other places in Thailand and according to the numbers (they can be seen on each picture) this is what you have:

1. Phromthep Cape, Phuket.
2. The Big Buddha, Samui
3. Chicken Island, Krabi (The shape of this one reminds you of something, doesnt it?)
4. Pattaya Bay, Chomburi
5. Ko Chang National Park, Trat
6. James Bond Island, Phang Nga

A few of these places have really gotten my interest in them, and would love to talk more of each....so if anyone can send me a postcard of number 2, 3 and 6, I would be really happy :)

At times like this, my lack of movie knowledge expands a lot...I had no idea there was a James Bond island...in fact, I had never watched a James Bond movie....I know many of you are now in awe....sorry :)
Im more of a music addict and a book-worm....and movies a.k.a James Bond have never really fascinated me.

Sissel used a very nice stamp. It is from a set of 10 issued in 2008 representing Mountains as tourist attractions in Thailand, and here you can see the Phu Khao Hin Pakarang.

Takk Sissel!!!

Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand's capital....and as the card says "A bird eye view over Bangkok in the evening"....looks really nice.

Did you know that the full ceremonial name of the city given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, and later edited by King Mongkut, is:

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

It is a combination of two ancient Indian languages, Sanskrit and Pali, and can be translated as: The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reins the reincarnated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarm.

Errrm.....I'll stick to Bangkok....

Phuket, Thailand

And some summer-related-view coming from Thailand....looks lovely!

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore. It is connected to mainland Thailand by a bridge.The name Phuket is apparently derived from the word bukit in Malay which means hill, as this is what the island appears like from a distance. (i hope i used the word "Malay" right...)
On this card in particular you can see a view of Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon Bays at Phuket view Point. It is said to be one of the island's best views.
well, no need to dispute that i think....

Ayutthaya, Thailand

I got this card in the Different Countries RR from Thamonwan...I actually asked for this group myself, Macedonia vs Other Countries...its a nice feeling to actually feel as a 'host' of a group :)
Ive opened another one, Macedonia vs other European countries...and those cards should start arriving rather soon to...i got some awkward itch about RR's lately....esp. those Slavic related groups...i feel like joining another one...there is an ongoing Different Slavic Countries group...i just fear people are gonna get sick and tired of my Macedonian cards :)

Back to the card...im more than happy and thankful when people actually send me something they know i collect and i will like and etc...here we talk about the UNESCO....
Ayutthaya city is the capital of the Ayutthaya province in Thailand. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong who came here to escape a small pox outbreak in Lop Buri and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom.  In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army and the ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthata Historical Park which is recognized internationally as a  UNESCO whs.

The stamp is from a 2007 issue of a sheet of 10 stamps illustrating famous beaches and tourist destinations in Thailand.
Thamonwan, thanks a LOT! :)

Royal Barges, Thailand

Here comes something interesting from Thailand....the Royal Barges

 

 The Royal Barges are one of Bangkok's most fascinating sights. They are ornately decorated boats with magnificently carved prows that at one time served a military function, but today are limited to use in State ceremonies and celebrations. 

The most impressive and important of the boats is Suphanahong, the King's personal barge. Built in 1911 to resemble a mythical swan, the 46 metre craft was hewn from a single tree and is covered with intricate gilt carvings and colourful pieces of glass, forming an eye-catching mosaic. There is a golden pavilion on board to house the King and his Royal family. It is not an easy task to get this vessel moving; it requires 54 oarsmen, who paddle in time to the rhythmic beat of a drummer following a melodic chant called a "bot heh rua.". 

 

In addition to Suphanahong, there are several other barges. On their bows sit a variety of figureheads taken from Thai mythology, Ramakian. One barge features a sacred Garuda; another Hanuman the monkey and yet another possesses the seven heads of Naga, the mythical serpent with white fangs that is often portrayed giving shelter to Buddha. The most recently created barge is the royal barge Narai Song Suban H.M Rama IX built in honour of the current King's 50th year on the throne (Thats the first barge on this picture).

To see the barges gliding through the water is a spectacle but one must plan well in advance or just be lucky enough to catch them, for they are only used sparingly. Each year at the full moon marking songkran the Thai New Year, a grand procession of barges is formed to transport the King from his palace to the temple of the Emerald Buddha, for the ceremonial change of Buddha's clothes.

Four royal barges are at the centre of the flotilla, including the Anantanagaraj, carrying robes for the monks and Suphannahongse, carrying His Majesty the King and other members of the Royal Family. Lesser barges surround the royal ones in a protective frame as they flow upstream. 

Im fascinated!!!

Nakhon Si Thamarat, Thailand

My last card for today is another Christmas present, this time from dear Relie in Singapore (if it wasnt for her, the GTKY Christmas Round Flamingo wouldnt have existed in the first place ;-)) Which reminds me that another thing is being organized at the GTKY but im not telling you what yet...i just need to start things IN time this time....

Relie went to Thailand for a couple of days and from there she brough this card and included it along with the Christmas one

Wat Phra Mahathat is the most important temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat and southern Thailand. It was constructed at the time of the founding of the town, and contains a tooth relic of Buddha. The 78 m high chedi is surrounded by 173 smaller ones. While the chedi is now in Sri Lankan style, it is said to be built on top of an earlier Srivijaya style chedi

Thank you Relie :)))

Mae Hong Son, Thailand

Before I get down to the actual update, a few things first....

for starters, im sorry for the lack of any new stuff here lately...or better said, for almost a week....time has been my worst enemy lately, and doesnt leave me the chance to do much other stuff....and with the very little time i may have, in general i feel so tired, and so emotionally down that i just cant get into doing things...you know, its like when you feel that the whole aura around you is just pitch dark and you cant make a simple conversation with anyone...when you just feel out of your element...i still feel like that unfortunately...it aint nice....thank God its the weekend....even though i have a pile of work to do...i just cant...i even need to clean my room, its a terrible mess....but later...first here...with my morning coffee...

Second...I know I owe a BUNCH of you an email, a message or any sort of notification for a received postcard..or simply a mail/message for whatever else it was needed...there is a great chance that i have received it during this past week, but just havent had the time to notify you, or couldnt compose a decent message to send it to you...really, when i feel like this, im way too lousy for any sort of communication in 99% of the time...so i hope you'd understand and wont be mad with me or anything if i hadnt mailed you/meesaged you or whatever i needed to do....trust me, its not on purpose nor due to recklessness...its just..well, life...thank you in advance for the understanding...and im sorry things like this have to happen in the first place...I promise, once i finish with this update, and clean the mess around a bit, ill get down to the messages...

Well, lets get down to some cards....i have to say that another reason which influenced my update here as well, is the lack of new countries...not 'new' as in 'i dont have them in my collection', but 'new' as in 'no postcards from a place i havent posted a card for a while from'...and due to my 'invented system' of posting cards, it had been a problem lately of how to combine stuff and what to post....but a system with rules is a system with rules and needs to be obeyed...:)

The first card for today comes from Thailand, and shows Mae Hong Son....you know, the atmosphere on the card represents the atmosphere inside me right now...now wonder i so much love it :)))
The card shows a morning mist in the rice field....cant you actually feel the humidity and the sound of the mist...you know...the drops on the leaves and the grass...and the chilly breeze in the air? I can totally feel all that while looking at the card!
Mae Hong Son is also known as The City of Three Mists, and is nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges. It  has long been isolated from the outside world. It is the most mountainous province in Thailand and composed of a total of 13, 814 square kilometers. It is virtually covered with mist throughout the year, the name refers to the fact that this terrain is highly suitable for the training of elephants.

Definitely a place id love to visit if i have the chance...it looks so much like...well, me. :)

Lamai Beach Koh Samui, Thailand

Ive never actually been on such a white sandy beach...

This is the Lamai Beach on the Koh Samui island in Thailand....

Lamai Beach, situated a couple of bays to the south of Ko Samui's most famous beach, Chaweng, has long been considered the latter's poor cousin. The beach isn't as long, the off-white sand isn't as fine and the restaurants and bars lack the range and quality of those on Chaweng. That being said, both the guesthouses and resorts are considerably cheaper and Lamai Beach seems never as busy. So for those looking for value for money and smaller crowds, it can be a good choice.

The beach has three distinct areas, the north running from the headland to Sand Sea Resort, then the central and southern stretches. The north is quieter, with less development but there's a reason for this -- the beach is prone to mudflats at low tide and, due to storm water run off from a creek between Sand Sea and Laguna Resorts, after rain, the water along this stretch can become extremely dirty. The central and southern stretches on the other hand have far cleaner water but on the central stretch there's more development and both areas have a lot of jet ski action.

Off the beach, Lamai has a small range of restaurant and entertainment options when compared to Chaweng and overall has a pretty low-rent feel to it, in no small part due to the dozens upon dozens of girlie bars that line the road and anywhere else you can stick a shack with a few stools. You can escape most of this by heading back down to the beach where there's a smattering of typical beach-seafood type places -- prices are considerably lower than Chaweng and the food can be very good.


Wow....this was some commercial :)

Bangkok, Thailand

I really love this night view of Bangkok...

It shows the famous -Wat Phra Kaew - temple, which is the only temple with no monks.
In English it would be Temple of the Holy Jewel Image or commonly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
It is located on the ground of the Royal Palace in Bangkok and is the most revered Buddhist shrine in Thailand.
Central to the temple is the Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue standing about 2 feet tall. No one is allowed near the statue except the Thai King who conducts rituals at the temple throughout the year.

Thailand

My first official card from Thailand



It shows a Floating Market....this is the first time ive actually heard of an existence of something as a Floating Market. Looks as something interesting, though i wonder what happens when there is a lot of traffic and the boats get stuck....there are no signs, no traffic lights....can get quite hectic.

As i have read, these floating markets are a feature of the Thai Culture and the rural life and most of them are concentrated in Bangkok....im just not sure where this Floating Market is...the sender says its about 190km or 1.30 hour drive....but doesnt say where from.....she surely didnt want to say that the market itself is 190km long!! Or she did?

Sukhothai, Thailand

This wonderful view here comes from Thailand, showing Sukhothai...


Sukhothai was the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries. It has a number of fine monuments, illustrating the beginnings of Thai architecture. The great civilization which evolved in the Kingdom of Sukhothai absorbed numerous influences and ancient local traditions; the rapid assimilation of all these elements forged what is known as the 'Sukhothai style'.


This old capital, now 12 km outside of New Sukhothai is in ruins and is a historical park.