Date of Issue : 1 Jan 2014
Denomination : 12 x 3 baht
Stamp Size : 30.5 mm x 30.5 mm
Printing Process : Offset Lithography and Hologram
Zodiac means 12 configurations of stars that, as imagined by human, form together in animal-like shape. According to Thai historical culture, Thai people inherited this idea from the Chinese through Khmer traditions since Ayutthaya period.
Songkran is the term derived from Sanskrit which means "a move or change". It means the sun transits or moves into the constellation of Aries on the New Year Day in Thai culture. Originally, the date of Songkran or New Year was astronomically calculated but now it is fixed on 13 to 15 April.
2014 marks the end of this series of zodiac stamp issue by Thailand Post. This series started in 2003 with the Year of the Goat, and it ended with the Year of the Horse in 2014. Marking the completion of the cycle, this special set of zodiac stamps was released in 2014. Unlike the regular stamps, the stamps in this special issue come with hologram feature.
When I see this set of stamps on sale, I was sold. Without thinking twice, I bought and added this to my collection.