TPS Banner

For Beginners and New Collectors




If you are a young person just beginning to collect postage stamps, or maybe a bit older but have never collected stamps before, then this is the page for you.









The Thai Times

Useful Links

Members' Pages

Publications

For Beginners and New Collectors

It's not too difficult to start. Let's assume that you don't have much money to spare. You can probably get some used stamps from friends and relations. Lots of people go to Thailand for their holidays and some of them still send post cards with stamps on.

Used stamps are the ones that have been cancelled - usually it's a big, black circular mark and it will have words in English and in the Thai language. Thai uses different letters, but usually the same numbers that everyone uses nowadays. Mint stamps are those that have not been used - if you want those you will normally have to buy them. Mint Thai stamps are not very expensive, but they are more difficult to get than used ones, unless you live in Thailand.

Is there a stamp club near you? They may be holding meetings now. Look for their website and a contact. You could try writing them a letter or email and ask if they can help you with your collection. You could also contact the Secretary of this society - the Thailand Philatelic Society. If you are young you might want to get a parent to do it. The members usually have lots of stamps that they will either give away or sell very cheaply, if you ask politely.

If you're allowed you can search on the Internet for stamps to buy - but be careful, only deal with reputable people and companies.


Clouded
                  Leopard










What do you do with the used stamps now you've got some? You cut around them (leaving a small gap) put them in a bowl of water and wait till they come off the letter or post card. Then put them on kitchen towel or blotting paper to dry. When dry they can be put in a stamp album. You may have to put them under a heavy object for a bit to uncurl or flatten them. Some stamps do not come unstuck in water - the peel and stick ones - so it's best to leave those on the paper and just cut neatly around them. There are not many Thai stamps like that.

The cheapest type of album is one you can make yourself with a ring binder, a hole punch and some sheets of paper.  To put your stamps in the album you must have proper stamp hinges: these are small strips of gummed paper that you moisten and fix to the back of the stamp, then moisten the other side and stick in your album. Stamp hinges do not damage the stamps and they peel off when dry and can be reused to stick the stamp in another place. If you use something else you will regret it later. Stamp hinges are sold on the Internet, or at specialised stamp shops.

Definitive King Vajiralongkorn










Thailand issues lots of colourful stamps. The normal ones, for everyday use, are called "definitives" and they usually have a picture of the King on them. Then there are the special issue stamps called "commemoratives" that are issued for an anniversary or some special purpose.

Then there are the themed stamps that Thailand has issued. One of the most popular shows the "Young Postman" cartoon character.

Here is a small page of Young Postman stamps that you could have in your album.........

Young
                  Postman Page






If you want to learn more about collecting stamps there may be books in your local library, or you can look on the Internet.

The famous name in the United Kingdom is Stanley Gibbons and they have a blog for beginners that you can find at https://www.stanleygibbons.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-stamp-collecting/

There are some great videos on YouTube about stamp collecting try this one out https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkeSM6aOWfaUPIGb5rPOGyA
(Graham is not trying to sell you anything)