Postal Service in Bhutan
Bhutan’s postage stamps are an unusual contributor to the country’s foreign exchange.
Until 1962, there were no regular postage stamps in Bhutan. From earliest time, when messages had to be carried between Dzongs, runners made their way on foot across the rugged mountains, as they still do today in some remote villages which are not yet accessible by road.
Under the first Five Year Development Plan (1961-66), a modern internal postal service was organized. A postal agreement with India, providing an international link-up, was concluded in September, 1962 and the first postage stamps were issued the following month. The first three post offices were set up in phuntsholing, Thimphu and Paro. Today, there are over 90 post offices consisting of two GPOs, 41 post offices and 47 community mail offices throughout the country.
Since the release of its first international postage stamp in 1962, Bhutanese stamps have established a reputation in the international market for the thematic value and technical excellence and its wide variety of exotic innovative stamps.
On them are depicted an outstanding range of subjects covering portraits, flora, fauna, pictures of historical Dzongs landscapes on silk, metal, three- dimensional images to CD ROM on Bhutan’s monarchy and environment. Today, Bhutan has become world-renowned in the philatelic community. The stamps of Bhutan have served as silent ambassadors and as emblems of goodwill.
