China - 2012 - The Silk Road

The Silk Road, or Silk Route, is a series of trade and cultural transmission routes that were central to cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting the West and East by linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from China to the Mediterranean Sea during various periods of time.

Silk Road - Mini Sheet

Silk Road - #19-1

Silk Road - #19-2

Silk Road - #19-3

Silk Road - #19-4

Silk Road - #19-M

Extending 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometres), the Silk Road gets its name from the lucrative Chinese silk trade which was carried out along its length, and began during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). The Central Asian sections of the trade routes were expanded around 114 BC by the Han dynasty, largely through the missions and explorations of Zhang Qian. They took great interest in the safety of their products being traded and extended the Great Wall to ensure the protection of the trade route.

Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of the civilizations of China, the Indian subcontinent, Persia, Europe and Arabia. It opened long-distance, political and economic interactions between the civilizations. Though silk was certainly the major trade item from China, many other goods were traded, and various technologies, religions and philosophies, as well as the bubonic plague (the "Black Death"), also travelled along the Silk Routes. In addition to economic trade, the Silk Road served as a ways of cultural trade between the networking civilizations.

The main traders during Antiquity were the Persian traders, the Romans, the Indians and Bactrian traders had involvement, then from the 5th to the 8th century the Sogdian traders, during the coming of age of Islam Arab traders became prominent.

Silk Road - Series

Silk Road - Block x 4

Silk Road - Block x 4

Silk Road - Block x 4

Silk Road - Block x 4

Silk Road - Blocks x 12

Silk Road - FDC Series

Silk Road - FDC Mini Sheet

Ancient watch tower on the Silk Road at Gansu Province - Maxi Card

Silk Road - Maxi Card

Silk Road Map - Maxi Card

Silk Road Route at Xinjiang Uygur - Maxi Card

Technical Details:

SN: (4-1)

 Title: Ancient City with Thousands of Years' History

 Values: 120 fen

 Size: 30 * 55 mm

 Type: T(Mint)

SN: (4-2)

 Title: Strong Pass in Desert

 Values: 120 fen

 Size: 30 * 55 mm

 Type: T(Mint)

SN: (4-3)

 Title: Mystic Ancient Lands

 Values: 120 fen

 Size: 30 * 55 mm

 Type: T(Mint)

SN: (4-4)

 Title: Scences of the Western Regions

 Values: 120 fen

 Size: 30 * 55 mm

 Type: T(Mint)

Serial Number: 2012-19M

Value in Set: 1

Denomination: 6 yuan

Perforation: 13.5*13

Size of Stamp: 39*66 mm

Size of Miniature Sheet:  150*85 mm

Issue Date: 2012-08-01

Designer: Chen Jingyi, Hui Bin, Li Qun

Printing Process:  Photogravure

Printing House:   Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

Portugal-Thailand - 2011 - 500 Years Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

In the reign of King Ramathibodi II of the Ayutthaya Period, Portugal was the first Western nation to come into contact with Thailand. There were trade transactions and co-orpration in many areas. So, the relationships between Thailand and Portugal dates back almost five centuries to when the two countries established diplomatic ties on February 10th, 1859 by the signing of a trade and navigation agreement. In 1981, Thailand opened its first embassy in Lisbon whereas Portugal established its consular office in Bangkok in 1818.

#PT064-11

#PT065-11

#PT066-11

#PT067-11

Portugal Series

#TH053-11

#TH054-11

TH051-11

TH052-11

Thailand Series

500 Years of the Arrival of the Portuguese to Siam and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

Five centuries of unbroken relations from 1511 to 2011 between Portugal, the oldest established nation in the West, and Thailand, the only Southeast Asian State ever to be colonized,  go far beyond simple trade contacts and are a unique case in the annals of international relations, with diplomatic, political, military, religious, cultural and sociological dimensions. The relationship from the very beginning was one between equal nation states.


In the former capital, Ayutthaya, where a Portuguese district with churches and a mixed Luso Thai population long existed, generations of naval pilots, soldiers, interpreters and doctors loyally served the Kings of Siam. From the 16th to the 18th Century, portuguese was the lingua franca, and it was here that the Portuguese introduced technology and the skills of military construction, as well as European pharmacology and medicine.


Sia, was closely connected to the Asian possessions of the Portuguese Crown and received large and important embassies from Portuguese centres such as Malacca, Macau and Goa, The relations between the two countries remained unaltered, even during the troubled times of the war of liberation led by King Taksin – whose personal guard was provided by Portuguese military men – and Rama I, who received important military assistance from the Portuguese Queen Dona Maria I, in 1796.


In 1820, Siam and Portugal signed the first written treaty of modern times, ensuring Siam’s full integration in to the international community. During the period of the major reforms that took place during  the 19th century and the  beginning of the 20th century, under the reign of Rama V and Rama VI, many Portuguese from Macau settled in Bangkok acting as advisors to the Siamese government. Unlike other foreigners, they became Siamese citizens and received Thai citizenship. The history of this old alliance is an eloquent and pioneering example of fruitful dialogue between civilizations.

Sheetlet

Cover

Cover

Cover

FDC

Presentation Pack

Presentation Pack

Technical Data:

TH051.11

Country / Post Thailand

Date of Issue 20 July 2011

Subject 500th Anniversary of Thailand-Portugal Diplomatic Relations

Width 40.0 mm

Height 30.0 mm

Denomination 3.00 THB

TH052.11

Country / Post Thailand

Date of Issue 20 July 2011

Subject 500th Anniversary of Thailand-Portugal Diplomatic Relations

Width 40.0 mm

Height 30.0 mm

Denomination 3.00 THB

TH053.11

Country / Post Thailand

Date of Issue 20 July 2011

Subject 500th Anniversary of Thailand-Portugal Diplomatic Relations

Width 40.0 mm

Height 30.0 mm

Denomination 3.00 THB

TH054.11

Country / Post Thailand

Date of Issue 20 July 2011

Subject 500th Anniversary of Thailand-Portugal Diplomatic Relations

Width 40.0 mm

Height 30.0 mm

Denomination 3.00 THB

Number in set 4 (show set)

Layout/Format sheet

Perforations 13.5 by 13.5

Stamp issuing authority The Communications Authority of Thailand

PT064.11

Country / Post Portugal

Date of Issue 20 July 2011

Subject 500 Years of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Portugal and Thailand

Width 40.0 mm

Height 30.0 mm

Denomination 0.32 €

PT065.11

Country / Post Portugal

Date of Issue 20 July 2011

Subject 500 Years of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Portugal and Thailand

Width 40.0 mm

Height 30.0 mm

Denomination 0.80 €

PT066.11

Country / Post Portugal

Date of Issue 20 July 2011

Subject 500 Years of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Portugal and Thailand

Width 40.0 mm

Height 30.0 mm

Denomination 0.32 €

PT067.11

Country / Post Portugal

Date of Issue 20 July 2011

Subject 500 Years of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Portugal and Thailand

Width 40.0 mm

Height 30.0 mm

Denomination 0.80 €

Number in set 4 (show set)

Layout/Format sheet of 25

Perforations 11.75 by 11.75

Stamp issuing authority CTT Correios de Portugal SA

Printer Cartor Security Printing