TH-64886

Today I have two cards to show and to talk about. The first one came from Thailand, and shows the Tak Bat Devo procession at the Sangkat Rattana Khiri Temple in Uthai Thani Province. This Buddhist festival is held annually on first day of the eleventh waning moon (around October). It is a festival celebrated by most Buddhists nationwide to celebrate the end of the rainy season retreat for Buddhist monks. The Buddhist Thai Monks descend in a splendid procession from the hilltop where the Sangkat Rattana Khiri Temple is located and as so imitate the return of Lord Buddha from heaven.

Origins:The Buddhist merit-making ritual of "Tak Bat Devo" originates from the Sanskrit word "Devorohana" and refers to the moment that Lord Buddha returned from Heaven to earth, as is mentioned in ancient Buddhist tales.
The significance of this Thai merit-making festival is based on the Buddhist concept of reincarnation and the belief that upon death, one will pass on to another life. It is also believed that every person's destiny is determined by the acts and good deeds performed during his current life. Depending on those good deeds and the merit a person has earned during his life, he will progress in subsequent lives to the point where he will attain spiritual enlightenment and will be able to reside in the upper tiers of heaven.
Based on this Buddhist belief, making merit by presenting offerings to monks has evolved as a the Buddhist ritual and festival known as "Tak Bat". The "Bat" being the bowl in which the alms and offerings for the monks are placed.

And there are wonderful stamps.
150^th Anniversary of Royal Thai Mint Commemorative Stamps issued on 17 September 2010.  

The Royal Thai Mint was established in the reign of King Mongkut or Rama IV. The King considered that siam had to open itself to trade with Europeans and the country had to be improved and updated in all respects. For this reason, the production of money was modernized and coins were issued in accordance with the Western way. This was the beginning of the establishment of the Royal Thai Mint in 1860.

Design 1: Illustrating the front side of the first hand-hammered round flat coin and “Sitthikarn Mint”, the first Mint of Thailand, painted in the background

Design 2: Illustrating the back side of the first hand-hammered round flat coin and “Royal Thai Mint”, the present Mint of Thailand, painted in the background

 
And two other stamps show King Rama IX, I guess.