Kawthoolei Separatist Stamps

The Karen independent self-proclaimed states of Kawthoolei issued the set of stamps in 1986.  The set includes six values as shown below, where a Kawthoolei dollar equals to 20 US cents.  The sheet includes 25 stamps per sheet, printed using multi color printing in western Australia by direct colour printers.

Karen children singing

Karen Flag

Saw Bo Mya, Karen Leader

Map of the state of Kawthoolei

Karen Coat of Arms

River (probably Than Lwin) and Mountain Scene

For more details about the stamps can be found in original article by Carlos Swanson re-published in Burma Peacock Vol 12, No 2.

Myanmar Post Code Ambassador

Myanmar-descent Japanese actor Morisaki Win was appointed as postcode ambassador of Myanmar Post on 23 Sep 2018.  During the event, bilingual postcode books, posters, calendars and postcards were presented to Myanmar Post by JICA.  For more information, please refer to the press release by JICA which can be retrieved at this link.  The pamphlet can be downloaded here and the postcode book for three region (Naypyitaw, Yangon, Mandalay) can be downloaded here.

The postcards and posters show same design with the ambassador's portait.

Postcard promoting postcodes.  "What is your Postcode"

Yankin Post Office

Yankin PO is located at No 5, Thitsar Main Road, 1st Qtr, Yankin township.  It is situated in front of Yankin Education College.  Click the link for the exact location of the Yankin post office.  It is grade 2 PO and its postal code is 11081.  I visited this PO on 21 Feb 2018.

Yankin Post Office

Posting box at Yankin PO

Registered letter sent on 21 Feb 2018.

Kamayut Post Office

Kamayut PO is located at the corner of Adipadi Road and University Avenue Road, 9th ward, Kamayut township.  This PO is also known as Yangon University PO aka Rangoon University PO. Click the link for the exact location of the Kamayut post office.  It is grade1 PO and its postal code is 11041.  I visited this PO on 14 Feb 2018.

Kamayut PO

Registered oversea mail (Sent on 14 Feb 2018)

The month of Tawthalin

The ninth stamp of the festivals series is for the month of Tawthalin and it was issued on 30 Aug. It is the 1st Waxing of Tawthalin.

The Regatta festival with boat races traditionally held in the month of Tawthalin (September) is the proof of Burmese King’s royal water forces for defense or flotillas of war ships and boats of different sizes well recruited, trained and maintained by the State.  The stamp on the card featured Wagaung's seasonal flower Yinmar [Chukrasia tabularis] and Boat Racing Festival.

Stamp design

The spelling for the name of the flower is widely argued.  Some people said ရင်းမာ or some said ယင်းမာ, even though they both has same pronunciation.  According to Burmese Spelling Dictionary, ရင်းမာ is correct.  So, the name on the stamp spelled correctly.

 Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 30 Aug 2019

Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)

Printing Process : Offset

Stamp Size and Format : 84 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)

Color : 4

Perforation : 14

Denomination : K200

Sheet Composition :  30 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 150,000 pcs each design
Stamp Designers : Wai Zin Paing (MPS)

Maxicard

Grab your copies at my eBay store.

First Day Covers

Official First Day Cover

FDC produced by Myanmar Philatelic Society (900 covers) [MPS-FDC-033]

FDC by U Mya Thaung

The month of Wagaung

The seventh stamp of the festivals series is for the month of Wagaung and it was issued on 1 Aug. It is the 1st Waxing of Wagaung.  Total of 3200 official FDC were issued.  On the first day of issue, 1250 FDCs were sold at Mandalay GPO.

The month of Wagaung (August) is the fifth month of traditional Burmese calendar.  During this month, monks are invited to receive the bowls filled with rice meal or some offerings prepared by donors.  Alms-giving is by means of casting lots.  Each monk receives whatever bowls his lot falls.  The stamp on the card featured Wagaung's seasonal flower Khatta [Crimum amoenum] and Buddhist Offering Festival.

Stamp design

 Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 1 Aug 2019

Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)

Printing Process : Offset

Stamp Size and Format : 84 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)

Color : 4

Perforation : 14

Denomination : K200

Sheet Composition :  30 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 150,000 pcs each design
Stamp Designers : Wai Zin Paing (MPS)

Maxicard 

Grab your copies at my eBay store.

First Day Covers

Official FDC

MPS First Day Cover (950 Covers) [MPS-FDC-033]

U Mya Thaung

Video News (Yangon GPO)

Video News (Mandalay GPO)