Thailand Post

Thailand Post Co., Ltd. (Thai: บริษัทไปรษณีย์ไทย จำกัด), formerly part of the Communications Authority of Thailand until its privatization in 2003, is the state enterprise in the form of company that provides postal services in Thailand. It was established in 1883; its first post office was located in a large building by the Chaophraya river, at the northern side of Ong-Ang canal.

History

A 1941 stamp of Thailand.

Prior to the operation Thailand Post, there was a limited mail service, mainly for the royal family. Domestic mail travelled by messengers while international mail travelled by steamboat to post offices in nearby countries, such as the Straits Settlements.

The earliest recorded mail from Bangkok dates back only to 1836 when American missionary Dan Beach Bradley sent a letter to his father in a stampless cover. The British Consular Post Office in Bangkok was established by Great Britain in 1858 as a consequence of a treaty signed between Great Britain and Siam (now known as Thailand) on 1855-04-18, and in response to a demand by expatriate merchants and missionaries. It ceased to provide service on 1 July 1885, the day Siam joined the Universal Postal Union and started its own international postal service. During that time most of the mail from Bangkok was sent by diplomatic pouch to Singapore for forwarding. On 4 August 1883, the first stamp was issued in Siam.[1]

Current operations

Suvarnabhumi Post office, Bangkok
A delivery bike used by Thailand Post in Trat Province

Thailand Post currently offer postal and financial services, and some types of telecommunication service. It has established numerous offices nationwide.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.sandafayre.com/atlas/tiland.htm Retrieved 1 February 2011.

External links