November 23, 2019

1824, 3181, 3262 THAILAND (Bangkok) - Wat Arun in Bangkok

1824 Wat Arun (1)

Posted on 15.08.2015, 28.10.2017, 23.11.2019
Wat Arun (Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan, "Temple of Dawn") is a Buddhist temple in  Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Although the temple had existed since at least the 17th century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early 19th century during the reign of King Rama II.

3181 Wat Arun (2)

A Buddhist temple (Wat Makok) had existed on this site since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which was renamed Wat Chaeng by King Taksin when he established his new capital of Thonburi, near the temple. It enshrined the Emerald Buddha before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew in 1785. The temple was located in grounds of the royal palace during Taksin's reign, then it was abandoned until Rama II, who restored it and extended the pagoda to 70m.

3262 Wat Arun (2)

The main feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower) which is encrusted with colourful porcelain. The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite prang, decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming from China. Construction of the five prang was started by King Rama II during 1809-1824 and completed by King Rama III (1824-1851). The central prang is topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the "Trident of Shiva". Around the base of the prang are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan.


About the stamps
On the postcard 1824
The first stamp is part of a series of four, Sculpture of the Great Artists, issued on March 5, 2004.

The second stamp is part of a series issued in 1985 to commemorate Thaipex 85 National Stamp Exhibition:
• Thaipex 85 National Stamp Exhibition (2 THB)
• Pavilion Varopas Piman (3 THB)
• Pavilion Vehas Camrun (7 THB)
• Tower Vittoon Tassanna (10 THB) - It's on the postcard


The third stamp was issued in 1992 to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Prince Wan Waithayakon (1891-1976).


The last stamp was issued also in 1992 to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Silpa Bhirasri (1892-1962).

On the postcard 3181
The first stamp, depicting King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), is part of the 8th definitive series, about which I wrote here.


The second stamp, depicting also King Rama IX, is part of the 9th series of definitive stamps, issued between 1996 and 2011.
1998.02.25 dark olive green & light olive green, unwatermarked on granite paper (0.50 BHT)
2003.03.14 blue, unwatermarked on granite paper (1 BHT) - It's on the postcard 3359
1996.12.05 carmine, watermark 340 (2 BHT)
1998.07.01 carmine, unwatermarked on granite paper (2 BHT)
1998.07.01 carmine, unwatermarked on granite paper (2 BHT)
2009.08.04 bister brown & black, self-adhesive (3 BHT)
2010.01.08 bister brown & black, unwatermarked on granite paper (3 BHT)
1997.05.05 blue & red brown, watermark 340 (4 BHT)
1999.10.08 blue & red brown, unwatermarked (4 BHT)
2000.12.01 blue & red brown, unwatermarked on granite paper (4 BHT)
1997.05.05 purple & orange brown, watermark 340 (5 BHT)
1998.12.28 purple & orange brown, unwatermarked on granite paper (5 BHT)
2000.12.01 purple & orange brown, unwatermarked on granite paper (5 BHT)
1999.07.01 yellow brown & green, watermark 329 (5 BHT)
1997.07.19 green & gray violet, watermark 340 (6 BHT)
1997.05.05 pink & green, watermark 340 (7 BHT) - It's on the postcard 3181
1997.07.19 dark blue & brown orange, watermark 340 (9 BHT)
1998.01.07 violet & brown orange, unwatermarked on granite paper (9 BHT)
2007.12.08 violet & brown orange, unwatermarked on granite paper (9 BHT)
2011.02.02 violet & brown orange, unwatermarked on granite paper (9 BHT)
1997.05.05 orange & dark brown, watermark 329 (10 BHT)
2006 orange & brown, unwatermarked on granite paper (10 BHT)
1999.07.01 blue green & blue, watermark 329 (12 BHT)
2006 yellow brown & green, unwatermarked on granite paper (15 BHT)
1997.05.05 violet & maroon, watermark 329 (20 BHT)
1997.08.08 blue green & olive black, watermark 329 (25 BHT)
1999.07.01 pink & brown, watermark 329 (30 BHT)
1998.02.25 deep violet & dark green,  watermark 329 (50 BHT)
1997.07.19 lemon & dark blue green, watermark 329 (100 BHT)
1997.08.08 lilac rose & violet black,  watermark 329 (200 BHT)
1999.09.10 orange & claret, watermark 329 (500 BHT)

The third stamp is part of the series International Correspondence Week - Betel Nut Sets, issued on October 9, 1994.
• 2 BHT
• 6 BHT - It's on the postcard 3181
• 8 BHT
• 9 BHT


The last stamp was issued on May 19, 1998, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Death of Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon, (1880-1923), was the 28th child of King Chulalongkorn. He spent his early years studying Naval warfare in England. He returned to Siam to serve in the Royal Siamese Navy and contributed significantly to the advancement and modernization of the Navy. In 1922 he saw that Sattahip Bay was a strategic place for the establishment a Naval base and offered Royal land in Sattahip in order to build the present-day naval facilities. In honor of his contributions, the Prince was proclaimed "The Father of Royal Thai Navy".

On the postcard 3262
The first stamp is part of a series of fourth, The Telecom man of nation, issued on June 9, 1997 to pay homage to and to publicize the contribution of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in telecommunications.
• 2 BHT
• 3 BHT - It's on the postcard 3262
• 6 BHT
• 9 BHT

The second stamp is part of a series of nine, issued on October 21, 1999, The 72nd anniversary of the birth of King Bhumibol Adulyade - 3 BHT, 6 BHT, 12 BHT (3 designs each).

The last is one of the four stamp of the series Thai Rice, issued on February 25, 1999.

References
Wat Arun - Wikipedia

Sender 1824, 3181, 3262: Pumipat
Sent from Bangkok (Bangkok / Thailand), on 24.07.2015
Sent from Bangkok (Bangkok / Thailand), on 31.07.2017
Sent from Bangkok (Bangkok / Thailand), on 30.07.2018

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