National Children's Day 2009 Commemorative Stamps

Date of Issue : January 10,2009
Denomination : 3 Baht (8 Designs)
Designer : Thaneth Ponchaiwong

Major Literary Work of the Ratanakosin EraPhra Abhai Manee is a major work composed by Phra Sunthorn Vaoharn or Sunthorn Phu, a renowned poet of the early Ratanakosin Period. It is a narrative poem, written in the Klon verse form of 24,500 lines. the main plot involves the life of the protagonist, Phra Abhai Manee, from the age of 15. Like the major male characters of other Thai literary works, Phra Abhai Manee has to leave home for an education. However, he chooses to study how to play the flute and this enrages his father so much that he is banished from the city. That is where Phra Abhai Manee's adventures begins.
The hero, accompanied by his brother, Sri Suvan, has to go from one place to another until they meet the three Brahmins. Later, Phra Abhai Manee is abducted and confined in a cave by a Giantess. They have one son, named Sin Smut. The father and son are helped to escape from the Giantess by a mermaid who takes them to the Koh Kaew Pitsadarn Island. Phra Abhai Manee and the mermaid have a son named Sud Sakhon. Later, Phra Abhai Manee is helped by the King of the Crystal City and falls in love with his daughter, Nang Suvanna Malee, who is engaged to a foreigner from the Isle of Langka. This starts a conflict which develops into a war between The City of Crystal and Langka that lasts for many years. The war can only end when Nang Laveng, the daughter of the King of Langka, falls in love with Phra Abhai Manee.

After the war, Phra Abhai Manee becomes tired of the uncertainty of human life so he decides to become ordained, having two human wives Nang Suvanna Malee and Nang Laveng, follow him in his ascetic life. The later part of Phra Abhai Manee is involved with the adventures of the later generations, having Susd Sakhon and Nang Saowakhon as its major characters.

The episodes related to the character, sud Sakhon, are the most popular and are considered as the most valuable examples of children's literature. These episodes contain Phra Chao Ta (the Old Hermit) and Chee Pleuay (the Naked Maniac) to add more colour to the story.

Vol. 2009 Issue 1, Thai Stamp Bulletin
Thailand Post

Visit Surat Thani , Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan

Surat Thani is Southern Thailand's largest province, covers some 12,800 square kilometres, and has an extensive coastline lapped by Thai gulf waters. The provincial capital is 685 kilometres south of Bangkok.

Surat Thani boasts some of Thailand's loveliest islands namely the Penang-sized Ko Samui, Thailand's third largest island, palmfringed jewel of a sparkling archipelago that includes the stunning 250-square-kilometre Ang Thong Marine National Park.


Thai Term Glossary
Amphoe : District
Ao : Bay
Ban : Village
Chedi : Stupa or Pagoda
Doi : Mountain
Hat : Beach
Khao : Mountain
Khlong : Canal
Ko : Island
Laem : Cape
Namtok : Waterfall
Tambon : Sub-district
Tham : Cave
Wat : Temple



Ko Samui
The 247 square kilometre Samui island is Surat Thani's major tourist attraction. Located 258 nautical miles south of Bangkok, and some 84 kilometres east of the provincial capital, Ko Samui measures some 21 kilometres at its widest point, and 25 kilometres at its longest. A 51 kilometre ring and largely coastal road encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills.

Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Chaweng and Lamai, where generally attractive accommodation can be found. Besides beaches, other island attractions include coral beds at Laem Set and Thong Takhian: the hin Lat and Na Mueang waterfalls; the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay; the nearby butterfly garden and honey farm; a massive seated Buddha image on Fan isle in Plai Laem Bay; a herbal garden at Ban Bang Makham, a monkey training centre at Ban Khao Phra; and Na Thon, the island's major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated.
Ko Pha-ngan
This popular 191 square kilometre island is situated 20 kilometres north of Ko Samui or 100 kilometres from Surat Thani. Attractions include beautiful beaches around the island, a hilltop temple called Wat Khao Tham which is ideal for meditation, the Than Sadet Waterfall, and the Namtok Phaeng National Park.

- Tourism Authority of Thailand

Thailand Chinese New Year Festival 2009

Thailand Chinese New Year Festival 2009During 26 - 27 January, 2009
Chinese New Year at biggest Chinatown in Thailand

Yaowarat Road ,Golden Road

The road was built during 1892-1900 by the order of King Rama V, starting from Ong Ang Canal to end at Wat Traimit Witthyaram Woamahawiharn a total distance of 1,532 meters, the name Yaowarat meaning the young King was referred to King Rama V who had the throne ascendency since he was only 15 years old. The road was later on known as Chaina Town of Thailand due to area all along both sides were the shops and residences of the Thai Chinese. It was Chinese's biggest living quarter of Thailand in the past. Yaowarat was the first road where the country's tallest buildings were situated, called Seven Storeyed and Nine Storeyed buildings on both sides of the road, there are many famous Chinese restaurants, Chaloem Buri Cinema the most modern on in that decade, many reliable goldshops as well as hundred of shops selling both fresh and preserved merchandises used for Chinese food cooking. At present, Yaowarat's significance is not fading. It is still one of the country's most bustling commercial and delicious food district.

Yaowarat Road's sign board

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Ayutthaya

Wat yai Chaimongkhon, Ayutthaya

constructed in King U Thong's era. housing a pagoda built by King Naresuan the Great to commemorate his victory over a Burmese king.

Wonderful Palaces and Temples, Sanam Luang

The Grand Palace
standing next to Sanam Luang, was constructed by King Rama I immediately after Bangkok was made the capital to replace Thon Buri. Inside the spacious palace exist several small palaces notably the Dusit Palace, The Arphonphimok Palaces, the Phiman Rataya Palace and the Chakri Palace.

Sanam Luang (The Royal Field) or Phramain Ground on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, was initially used as a rice field and the burial site for the royal family menbers, which subsequently was abolished by King Rami IV. The King also renamed the place Sanam Luang.

Sanam Luang is a popular recreational area and often the area of much activity especially during the kite flying season (February to April) and the King's birthday celebration (December). This open air area is also the venue of New Year Celebrations and the the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony marking the start of the rice planting season in May.

Wat Saket (Phukao Thong or Golden Mountain), standing by Khlong Mahamak, has a Golden Pagoda named Borom Banphot. On top of the chedi are Lord Buddha's relics.

credit : Thailand Travel guide PTT