Letters from Thailand

Letter 1
I’ve been terribly seasick. When I was sick, the memories of our family kept spinning
around my head. I couldn’t bear to say goodbye to you and now I feel guilty. Please
try to understand my dream. The ship is big as all Po Leng village. My friends (Kim
and Seng) and I have nothing left over since we pay on the fare and immigration fees
so we sleep in the belly of ship. Not like some group of Chinese who go to Thailand
with enough money for cabin and good food. Lo Yong Chua tell me that his cousin is
looking for a boy to help with his bookkeeping chores so he ask me to get a pen and
some paper to make sure I can read and write. If I could, I will work with his cousin.
And I can. Lo Yong Chua enjoy talking with me and asking me if I want to become
his adopted son since I have no father and he has no son. I say yes to him. Yong Chua
teaches me many things about life in Bangkok. The next day, a shameful incident
occurred. Seng mock me and laugh with his friends. I run across the deck and
punched him in the face. We were rolling around on the deck pummeling each other. I
won the fight but I’m not proud of it. I realized he was only jealous with me. And
now we are enemies. As I wrote the last few words, father appeared beside me, told
me that we are within sight of Thailand and rushed off again. We are touching bottom
that means until the water rises in the morning, we stay right here. The mosquitoes are
going to be terrible and I realized we are near land.
Letter 2
Kim and I are already settled in the household of Lo Nguan (cousin of his father)
called Sampheng Lane. Kim agues with Suang U because he didn’t know where to go
since Suang U got a job. Father has day off so he can take me to Lo Nguan Thong.
And I asked if his cousin need an errand boy because I want to find job for Kim. We
arrived. Kim said that work is harder than planting rice but they get enough money to
send to home. I hope that I shall fing peace and happiness here and prosper in
business.
Letter 3
I shall attend to describing the household of Nguan Thong. Nguan Thong, his wife
and their 2 daughters live in a store. Every inch of the house is devoted to the storage.
A family shares space with a business of one kind or another, which open to the
street. Many families there are Chinese but a few are Thai families. Khlong Ong Ang
is canal which runs behind the row of house. Across the street from us the house are
identical but less fortune than us, for the Khlong behind their row has been filled in
and another row of shops stands where it once flowed. All Day long, men and women
paddle small boats back andforth on Khlong Ong Ang selling sweet, fruit, clothing,
pots and pans; some sell kuitieo, noodles they ladle from great charcoal-heated drums.
There are a few tress a long that Khlong behind the house but most of them and glass
have been destroyed when building went up. Father told me that Nguan thong’s
family moved here after a fire destroyed their first shop. We were greeted with
excellent tea. Kim and I make a bed by putting 5-6 boards on top of some large metal
cans. All men eat together, boss and employees and the women eat whatever is left
because men work hard so they need to eat first. I got 20 baht a month for work with
accounts and Kim got 15 baht because he does’t have skill.
Letter 4
There was my second day in Bangkok and first day of real work. Nguan Thong called
us and told us to learn to rise and bathe at 4 then he showed us how to wear
phakhaoma. In the few minutes it had taken us to bathe, we hurried toward the house.
I saw a girl’s face was like a pale and perfect moon. She had magnificent eyes, large
and black and glowing. We discovered that only lunch and dinner are served to other,
but since Kim and I live here, we have our breakfast. After breakfast, Kim and I had a
few moments alone before the rest of employees arrived. The only nearly important
work I did today was to check some figures Nguan Thong prepared hastily once
before then I had to make a clean copy for the ledger. I received my first month’s
salary in advance but Kim didn’t. I said I would send my first salary to you but I am
going to send half only and give rest to Kim so that with this a bit of money, his
family will suffer a little less.
Letter 5
I can barely eat or sleep for excitement. Starting tomorrow, I spend a whole hours
everyday to help both daughters study Chinese. This morning, second daughter (Ang
Buai) run into the office to ask her father about the meaning of phrase. She is about
16 years old. She wants to go to school but her father not allow to. He said women
belong in the kitchen. She asked me if I could teach her and her sister. And her father
allows them to study 1 hour a day and girls come downstairs to study in the office
after dinner.
 Letter 6
I am angry with my good employer, Nugan Thong. He paces the room while I teach
the girls or sit in the kitchen listening to every word we say. If he’s busy, his wife
takes his place. Her father didn’t want Ang Buai to learn Thai language and he used to
let her help with book everyday but when I came, she didn’t allow helping anymore.
She also complained that she didn’t look like Chinese at all since her skin is dark
unlike Chinese people. She told me that her sister is pretty because she has a white
and many men admire her since she was 12.
Letter 7
Today we celebrate the moon festival. Unfortunately, the moon was not very
beautiful, for it was a cloudy day and afternoon, it even rained a little. In Bangkok,
each family has its own celebrate. They set up tables outside their store and each table
is laden with fruit, almond confection, all kinds of sweets and moon cakes. Toward
evening, the rain diminished and many Thais came into the lane to watch us celebrate
our festival. I saw Seng stood across the street and he was staring at me. I could tell
that he here to observe the celebration like other people. I believe that Seng came here
to see the girls- to see Mui Eng. Ang Buai got sick of the book that I teach and she
prefer another story. And I ask and look directly to Mui Eng and she went to her
father’s room and got a new love storybook. It is about a girl of a good family who
falls in love with a poor boy. I couldn’t understand why she would choose a story like
this.
Letter 8
Yesterday morning, Kim refused to get up so I went outside alone to bathe. I glanced
at the kitchen window as I always do and Mui eng was there. She stands at the
window and then smiled. She gives me something to wipe my face dry and tossed a
pink cloth to me. I saw bracelet was pinned to one corner of it, a lovely pale jade one I
have often seen her wear. It is a sign to me and now I know what she chose this novel.
I have never been so confused in my life. I keep Mui Eng’s bracelet in the box where
I keep the money of my mum gave me on New Year’s Day and the pen Father gave
me on the ship. It is difficult to believe that. She loves me.
Letter 9
Seng’s uncle brought him here. Nguan Thong pointed to me and told Tae Lim that I
can transact business for him and I am his lucky find. Tae Lim told Nguan thong that
he is getting old so he want to sit comfortable chair while young ones do the running.
They want Seng and me know each other better. We smile at each other like we have
never seen. A change of subject, Thai couple next door is having arguments because
her husband comes home drunk every night. The more money he has, the drunker he
gets and on payday he can barely crawl home. Most of Thai coolies are addicted to
alcohol and never get out of debt because they drink up their wages instead of buying
food and clothing for their wives and children. This evening, at our Chinese lesson,
Ang Bui complained about her sister that she want to trade her ring for her sister’s
bracelet and Mui Eng said this bracelet is her favorite and she won’t.
Letter 10
There is trouble in the household and I fear I am the cause of it. Her mother blamed
Mui Eng for not sell her bracelet to her sister. Nguan Thong who sat nearby at his
deck, glaced up briefly without comment. Everyone in this family start the augment
because they can find her bracelet. Nguan Thong blamed her that how can she run a
household when she cant keep track of one braclet. And he continually said his friend
Lim want Mui Eng for his nephew, Seng. After I heard that, I was stunned,
dumbfounded but as long as it remined unspoken, there was hope. Her father will
bring Seng to the house soon to let Mui eng see. She didn’t deny letting Seng come to
her house but she said to her father that don’t force her to marry him if she doesn’t
like him.
Letter 11
My father arrived yesterday and Nguan Thong gave me the morning off to go
shopping with father. He talked me but noticed that I wasn’t listening to him. Nguan
thong told him that someone is asking for the fair Mui eng’s hand. And then he said
that he’s known Mui Eng all her life and if she doesn’t want to marry that boy, her
father can’t force her. She won’t marry to anyone who’s not better educated than she
is. We Chatted of other things for a while then I gathered my courage to tell him
about the incident of the jade bracelet.
Letter 12
Finally, the day arrived when Seng was to formally meet Mui eng. Ang Buai told me
what her sister dressing, she wearing a pair of hideous bright green pants a red blouse
and spectacles and she is dragging an enormous book around with her everywhere,
inside of the book is a list questions for Seng. And if he answers aren’t good enough,
then no bridegroom, no brother in law. After I heard about this, I laugh aloud in spite
of myself. Suddenly the door open and Nguan Thong walked into the office. He told
me to leave my work to Ang Buai and come with him because he has something to
discuss with. Then Nguan Thong hopped in the boat and I clambered down after him.
For a while, he began to talk. He told me about Mui Eng and Seng. He also mentioned
that even she is small but could not force her to do anything about her will. She wants
someone that she can learn on. Yong Chua told him that he would soon give up in
travelling and settle near us. And also he want to has Mui Eng for his daughter in law.
But Tae Lim is a friend to whom I owe much and he ought to understand if I tell him
that my elder cousin has asked for the girl as wife to his adopted son. But I told him
I’m poor. He said that money to Mui Eng is just like rice and water. She respects
brain. When Yong Chua returns, we set the date and he doesn’t want Mui eng know
about it yet.
Letter 13
Today I became engaged to Mui Eng. When father returned from Japan 3 days ago, he
and Nguan Thong went to visit an astrologer to set the date of our wedding. We are to
be married only 2 weeks from now. We gave 2440 baht to Nguan Thong and his wife
in money for raising their daughter. I made uo my mind to pay my father back
someday even he doesn’t want it but I must for amount like that. Then there was 12
baht in betrothal money for Mui Eng’s jewelry, necklace, bracelet and earring-
everything gold. Besides money and gold, we provide 100 boxed for almond candy to
be sent to the bride’s relatives. My father already quit his job and rented a shop where
next door to Nguan Thong. Mui Eng and I will have a large bedroom upstairs and
father will use the smaller one. Kim mentioned that the guys in the shop are jealous of
me and I know how they feel. It is father’s plan that I continue working for Nguan
thong until we have accumulated stock. At first, we will sell only food and everyday
necessities, expanding as we see where our successes are.
Letter 14
Today I was alone as never before. I had no relatives to greet at my wedding. I saw
Seng yesterday. He told everyone I am the curse of his life. And I even stole his
fiancée so he is going to revenge for this. It was during the wedding feast, Mui Eng
showed not the slightest trace of nervousness, but I cannot say the same for myself. I
got dizzy that father had to signal me with his eye to remind me what to do next. He
made me feel that I belonged to someone here. My wife must learn that I am her
master but I determined that my household would never be like her father’s. Mui Eng
asked me to give her bracelets back because she wants to wear it back. I fetched the
bracelet from my box of treasure and give it to her.
Letter 15
It is now 3 days since our marriage and Mui Eng remained in our room for the full 3
days following our wedding until this evening when we visited her parents. Mui Eng
and I simply walked next door on the front path but her parents acted as pleased as if
we had come 1000 miles and set the table as they would for honored guest. Now run
and fetch us some tea. It is chilly this evening and strong hot tea will clear our throats.
I still work for Nguan Thong. Our own store is not fully stocked yet, but soon after
the holiday we will begin to work in earnest and I will leave Nguan Thong. Father
will buy our stock because he knows the supplies better than me. Mui Eng will help
with the customers and keep daily records. Nguan Thong give all the employee 3 day
paid vocation and a New Year’s bonus. My bonus from Nguan Thong was half-
month’s pay, since I have worked just half a year. Nguan Thong value sons more than
daughter because he think son can carry on the family name. Ang Buai didn’t agress
with that. Nguan Thong glad that his daughter married with me but didn’t married
with Seng.
Letter 16
Our own business has not yet attracted so many customers. I have to look after his
business since my father in law has not been well. There is lump on his neck, which
seems to be growing larger. At first, he tired to cure it by applying healing leaves and
herbs but they didn’t help. Then he went to the Chinese doctor for a salve and they
didn’t help either. Aug Buai tried to convince him to go to a foreign doctor, but he
would have none of that, at least not at her suggestion. We visited him and carried
basket of fruit. Youg Chua convinced him to go to a foreign doctor too. The next
afternoon, Nguan Thong demanded to be taken to the foreigner’s hospital to get this
nonsense over with. Nguan Thong is sick and may stay sick for a long time, so I teach
business to Ang Buai. In a few weeks, she will be on her own. The doctor sent him
back home after a brief examination and he will go back to see the doctor next week.
Letter 17
The foreign doctor is not going to operate on Nguan Thong. The first morning, Ang
Buai took charge; I stayed with her in the store to help explain the situation to
employee. The worker who name Saeng mocked her “a kid is running the shop”.
Then she said back to him” my father is ill and I have to take his place. If you don’t
want to take orders from girls, you don’t have to. Go work somewhere else”. The next
day I had a headache and took a short nap. Ang Buai worked alone, all employees
were out on jobs, her mother went to market and Nguan Thong went to hospital.
Saeng had been looking for a chance, hiding across the street in an alley, waiting until
everyone had left the store. Next door, I was just falling asleep when I heard her cry
out. I leaped out of bed and run into Nguan Thong’s shop. When Saeng heard the
door bang, he turned and bolted, leaving Ang Buai huddled in a corner of the office.
Ang Buai told me not tell anyone what happened to her. The next day at noon, I
looked in on Ang Buai and she was busy. Since there was no reason for me to stay, I
went upstairs to chat with Nguan Thong for a few minutes. When I arrived home, I
found Mui Eng leaning across the counter. She asked me that you cant you leave her
alone for even one day, can you? I was too angry to answer her question. Then Mui
Eng began to shout to Ang Buai and they started to quarrel. I seized her arm and back
to my store. I told her if she does like this again, I will take another wife and it wont
be her sister but a cute little Thai girl at the bar. Mui Eng Stared up at me with
disbelief. I had to struggle not to laugh because she seems to believe that I do that.
Letter 18
Good News!Mui Eng is pregnant. She is still sick and irritable, dizzy and nauseated
all the time. If it is a son, I will call hime Tan Weng Khim. I shared our good news to
her parents and both of them are happy for us.
Letter 19
Here on Sampheng Lane, there is no drought, rainy season flooding in the streets is
inconvenient at worst and only insects we fight are mosquitoes, ants and roaches.
Another problem in the store is many of our customers are too quick with their hands.
While I’m measuring a sack of rice, they’re stealing half a dozen eggs. If I had as
many eyes as a pineapple I still couldn’t catch them at it.
Letter 20
Nguan Thong, his wife and Ang Buai decided to move to a newly built row of shops
some distance from here. They will sell only over the counter and the wholesale side
of the business will be discontinued. The business will be easier for her over there, no
more deliveries, no runners, and no coolies. Nguan Thong wanted to turn over to me
all the customers that he won’t be able to take care of anymore. I worried if I lose the
new customers through my own inexperience. I will do well to pay off my debt to
father sooner than I had hope.
 Letter 21
Mui Eng is well, her stomach heavy. In less than 2 months my child will be born.
Father and I have taken on Nguan Thong’s customers, as he wished and our profits
are great. Nguan Thong’s customers have been understanding and good to us. Partly
this is because they feel sorry for him (for having no son, I heard them speak of it) but
I believed that they satisfied with our service too. I have now lived 1 year in Thailand
and I had to go to the police station to pay my alien tax this morning. If we do not pay
the tax on time, we can be arrested, yet they make it almost impossible for us to do so.
When it was almost noon, our benefactor with the drawer full of bribes in formed us
that our papers would be ready after the nai thabian returned from lunch. At 4 o’clock,
he was in his office but we had not yet been called. I returned to the store and much
work awaits me tomorrow as a result of today’s waste.
Letter 22
Nguan Thong, his wife and Ang Buai moved a little over a month ago. Mui Eng
refused to see the new store, complaining that the birth is too near. Since the family
moved away, I have not had time to visit them. Mui Eng’s mother sometimes comes
to see us but Nguan Thong is not well enough to leave home except for visits to the
foreign hospital. At lunch today, I asked Mui Eng if she wasn’t curious to see her
father new home. She answered that she wouldn’t let anyone see her like this. It’s
embarrassing and she hates being pregnant. But Suang U wants to have a lot of
children, maybe 10.
Letter 23
One night, Mui Eng rolled over and she mumbled she hurt, so I asked Kim to fetch
the midwife. When the midwife came, she said it just warning. Then she is about to
leave but I ask her to stay overnight and she agrees. In the next morning, the midwife
made me pay her for nothing. Early evening, Mui Eng is on the bed and when I touch
her shoulder, she said she hurt badly. Then Kim went to fetch the midwife again, but
the midwife said baby is about come and she prepares her staff for delivering my
baby. While I was waiting outside the room, I opened a bottle of whiskey to drink and
it was my first taste. I fell asleep at the kitchen table. When I awoke, the midwife was
standing beside me and said everything is fine. I have a son.
Letter 24
Nguan Thong is dead. We did everything we could, take him to every doctor. Before
he died, he wanted Ang Buai to marry with Seng, but she denied it. He died 5 days
before the New Year. The last day of praying Nguan Thong and the ceremonies had
come to end, Ang Buai collapsed. My father lifted her gently and carried her to her
room. My mum in law called us to her house the day after the funeral. Nguan Thong
has divided everything between Mui Eng and Ang Buai. Cash is divided exactly in
half but the store and what is in it, he left ti Ang Buai and his wife so that we can
make our living without using capital. We take our share and use it for the factory
Yong Chua is always talking about. Maybe it will make us rich.
Letter 25
Father and I needed at least 400 square meters of land, not the kind of narrow row
shop we have all lived in. We have had to build our own factory, which added greatly
to our cost, but I feel certain, was for the best. It is small but make of brick. After we
had rented our land and built the factory, we were still far from ready to open for
business. We had to buy machinery, and huge ovens, which are heated by gas. What
do you we ought to call the business? After much discussion, we agreed on Thai
name” Loet Rot” (the peak of flovor) and for the Chinese name, “ Lo Buan Chai
Heng”. I am continuing the import business Nguan Thong handed down to me. Mui
Eng and couple girl run our old store, selling those non-edible necessities. Father is in
charge of the factory and his beloved machinery. I run between all 3 of our business
ventures, attempting to combine their financial aspects profitably.
Letter 26
Our products are selling well than I ever expected-all the world seems to love chan-
ap. But our profits are very modest. We hire Chinese workers for the factory
whenever possible, for they are much more dependable than the Thai. The women’s
job in the factory is to put the chan-ap into boxes, wrap the boxes in paper and stamp
our name on the front of each wrapper. Once a month, we visit Ang Buai and her
mother. Sometime my mother in law stays here for a day or two. That was a day we
enjoyed to the full. We are still in mourning but we thought it reasonable to open with
a small party. While celebrated, Kim was off in another direction. He had been seeing
one of Thai girls in the neighborhood everyday for weeks, whose name Chaba, is
pleasant and amazingly hard worker for a Thai. And Kim is going to marry her soon.
Letter 27
Good news!!! I have a second child. Never did I expect 2 children so early in my
marriage. Kim’s wedding was quiet and pleasant. Very few guest were invited for
because her relatives are a bunch of drunks. I will miss him, his cheerfulness and
honesty, even his worrying. But it is foolish to feel sorry for myself. I should hire
someone now, and start training him against the day I lose Kim.
Letter 28
Kim and Chaba are now working on their own. They sell pork in the market. Chaba’s
father fell into a Khlong on his way home one night only two weeks after the wedding
and his body was found the next morning. What a painful way for a man to end his
life. My son now can say papa and mama. Mui Eng doesn’t let a day go by without
reminding me that she wants a daughter. I’m not arguing. I almost wish she’d have
one and get it over with, so I might have peace. I already have my first son and I feel
confident that more will follow.
Letter 29
My son can walk now. He doesn’t make much sense yet when he talk but he
understand every word we say to him. Chaba and Kim often take him to the market
and he stays with them all day, until the last pieces of pork and last chicken have been
sold.
Letter 30
Well, my wife has got what she wanted. My second child arrived with little trouble
and is girl. Naming the baby was a more difficult problem. When I suggested” Chui
Kim” the name of the novel heroine who threw her bracelet to her lover, Mui Eng
didn’t speak to me for 2 days.
Letter 31
I discovered that Kim has been playing the lottery. Not once or twice but often. He
think he might win 10,000 baht so can take a good care of his wives. We argued about
playing lottery. He didn’t listen to me. I disappointed in him, more disappointed in
myself. If I have destroyed our friendship, I don’t know what I’ll do. Without Kim,
nothing would be the same.
Letter 32
Suang U’s move his property to the store because it’s too far from home. Li San and
his friend (about 40yrs, had 7children) buy a boat from Shang U. Kim and Suang U
had a problem because Suang U blamed Kim about his habit of gambling. The
building beside Suang U’s store was close because the family lost interest in the
business. The son went abroad to study as a doctor and come back with influent
Chinese and Thai and brought the farang wife back with him.
 Letter 33
Tae Seng came to Suang U’s shop and being ironic about Ang Bui to Suang U
because she rejected him. Then he started to argue about the business that Suang U
sell the business to Li San, the person that he just knew, instead of Seng who was this
old friend. Suang U tried to calm his friend and explain why he sold the customers to
Li san.
Letter 34
The business turned down, many goods are unsold and the store was full. Both sisters
started to have different thoughts about this matter. Ang Bui believed in the fact and
reasonable cause while Mui Eng believed in a superstitious like ghost or curse. As a
good husband, Suang U accompany his wife to the pagoda and was told that it
because of homeless spirit. Their home (pho tree) was cut down years ago at the back
yard. What they have to do is build a small house for the spirit and planted pho tree.
Letter 35
The third child was born as a girl who’s named Bak Li. Weng Khim is smart but his
father didn’t give him a life as other kids. Suang dissatisfied his son by giving him so
much work to do and only a little time to play that’s why Weng Khim always whining
for Kim and Chaba. The father let his son go with his old and that moment he knew
that they have a baby girl, so he bought her gold bracelets and anklets as a gift.
Letter 36
Suang U wanted his son to be disciplined, that’s why he didn’t give much time for
Khim to play like other Thai kid. Ang Bui complained about it so they had a small
argument. Tae Seng also found a girl that he truly love and issue the wedding
invitation to his two old friends.
Letter 37
That moment when Suang U was very disappointed about this forth child who was
another female. Now he had 1 son and 3 daughters. Mui Eng slipped in the bathroom
that’s why this baby was born (7months). He drank so much that day and got drunk so
his father come and comfort him, try to motivate to raise the kids because they are his
children and he had to take responsibility. Mui Eng name her youngest daughter
Meng Chu (a novel herine).
Letter 38
Mui Eng and the baby came back home and one day the couple had an argument.
Suang U complained that he’s hurt because he couldn’t have more children (he
wanted more sons). Mui eng got mad and talk back to her husband that being a female
is not easy because she had to carry the baby for 9-10 months just to honor the family.
Suang U afraid that his daughters might turn out like his wife, disobeying the husband
because the mother grab the power from him. Mui Eng came in and saw Suang U
look stress so she suggest him to go to get massage or go to teahouse and get some
girls. Mui Eng refused the suggestion angrily and Suang U smoked the cigarette in
stead.
Letter 39
Suang U went to see his first movie and he enjoyed it. After movie Suang U, Mui
Eng, and Ang Bui went to eat street food. Then the beggar with a baby came and
asked for money so Ang Bui gave her food but she refused and she told the truth
behind these beggars to Mui Eng and Suang U. It’s not their own baby, it’s a stolen
baby and they rent for 50baht per day.
Letter 40
Mui Eng paid back what she own to the shrine. They bought a huge dragon candle
and hand free food to the beggars. Describe the posture of the disable people. Go to
see the opera which only female did the performance.
Letter 41
Suang U learnt how to read and write Thai from book and one literate bakery worker
for an hour to teach him everyday. He only learn Thai when Weng Khim go to school
and Chui Kim take a nap. Chui Kim start to go to school.
Letter 42
Chui Kim went to nursery class where students do little but play more. Weng Khim
complain about learning Chinese is harder than Thai and Mathematic. He didn’t like
Chinese teacher because he’s strict, yells and violent (hit with ruler, throw blackboard
eraser). Weng Khim talked disrespectfully about the Chinese teacher because of Lim,
a son of a gold merchant so Suang U told him to move the place. Weng Khim’s grade
went down when Thai teacher left to get married and never return.
Letter 43
Bad thing happen in China but Suang U didn’t believe that because he didn’t trust the
newspaper. Chabam, Kim and Suang discuss about how Thai govern the country like
farang. They also discussed about America government. They ended up talking about
the name of Kim’s daughter. (Thai: Kha Hieng, Chinese: Rose).
 Letter 44
Suang U and his wife had a small argument about the letters he sent to his mother and
never saw the response. Weng Khim changed school because he failed his
examination so Chui Kim went with the same school as him and looked after him.
Thai people had to complete Prathom Four before they’re able to work. But it’s poor
area so people work for living without obeying the law.
Letter 45
Last month, Weng Khim got fever because he played in the rain. Meng Chu also sick
so Mui Eng look after her and Suang U look after Weng Khim. However his father
told him to sleep because he had to work. For several days, Weng Khim got better but
his grandpa got a bad cold because he hadn’t slept. The doctor didn’t guarantee
because the grandpa had been sick for days and at the end he died. (mourn for the
death 3yrs)
Letter 46
After his adoptive father (Lo Yong Chua) had died Suang U decided to have Buddhist
ceremonies and monks prayed for seven days (and will invite monks again on the
twenty-first, fiftieth and hundredth day. He got ill after the funeral because he didn’t
sleep all night. Suang U and his wife had an argument about his look; he didn’t sleep
much and work harder than any other men. He’s mad with the annoyance of the
children’s fight and the opera song from the radio and his dizziness. Suang U had a
nightmare that all his people died as always. Kim came to him because he heard that
Suang U was sick and they discuss about Kim’s work. Suang U talked about how his
wife had changed her look to s.o else.
Letter 47
Suang U became better and put on some weights. Mui Ang wanted a car and asked
Suang U for it but he refuse so she said she would use her money for the car. They
argued because of the splitting of money between both of them. Breakfast was the
time for them to argue. Finally she got the car and Suang U felt their love was not
bearable because Mui Eng was fancy and he was not.
Letter 48
Suang U and Mui Eng argued about Weng Khim’s interested. The son wanted to be a
teacher Mui Eng supported her son. But Suang U disagreed with this opinion and
wanted him to be a merchant after he would complete Prathom Four examination. At
the end they shared responsibilities and divided children. Suang U look after Weng
Khim and Mui Eng look after the other three daughters. Meng Chu was a good girl
and resembled the grandma (she’s beautiful).
Letter 49
1 month later, Weng Khim enrolled Chinese school at night (no more Thai class) and
work at the shop at daytime. He argued with a 10yrs old girl because she dropped a
box of candies. Suang U explained him that as a boss, he would never lower himself
argue with the workers. Chui Kim wanted a big dog but Suang U refused and the
mother bought her 2dogs (Pekingese dog, 300baht/dog).
Letter 50
The family had a small talk at the breakfast table about what the kids want to be in the
future. Chui Kim performed very well in the class; she was at the top better than
Weng Khim. Chui Kim wanted to be on the radio, Weng Khim wanted to be a
teacher, Bak Li (7yrs) wanted to be beautiful and Meng Chu (5yrs) wanted to be like
Papa, making money. The youngest wanted to go to school but the term start within 5-
6months.
Letter 51
Weng Khim passed his Prathom Four examinations but he’s quite sad because he
didn’t want to leave this school. He’s been crying days so Mui Eng asked if he could
let Khim study for 2-3more years just to make him happy. Ang Bui came to talk to
Suang U about this problem but ended up mad because Suang U said she should get
married and take care of her own children. Mui Eng knew and argued with Suang U
that he didn’t have time for the family even for her mother.
Letter 52
Weng khim still went to Chinese school and Chui Kim attended Prathom One. The
old friends meet up and chit chat about the family and admire Suang U’s daughters.
Suang U and the family went to Thai Market (Phahurat) by 2 pedicabs because he
sent the driver off. Mui Eng bargains too much with the sellers and got embarrassed.
Letter 53
Suang U and Ang Bui made up because Mui Eng gave her the dog and said it’s a gift
from her husband. She wrote him a letter thanks him for giving her the dog. On
Chheng Meng day, Tan Chiu (Kim’s Friend) told an interesting story about an Ice
cream seller who didn’t take care of his own mother and beat her almost everyday and
didn’t feed her (the neighbor did).
 Letter 54
Suang U’s kids complained about the chopstick they’re using. They wanted to use
spoon and fork like others but Suang U refuse and talked about how chopsticks were
use since ancient time. It’s to show that he cherished his culture. Thai ate with hands
when the Chinese had chopsticks to use. There was also a little talk from Suang U
towards about Ang Bui’s fashion trend as Thai people (wearing sarong). He didn’t his
daughters to follow her aunt wearing something unpleasant him and violate Chinese
look.
Letter 55
Weng Khim went to birthday party at school and gave a box of candies to Huang
(13yrs) as a birthday gift while others gave toys. He wanted a birthday party too but
Suang U said wait until he’s 15 and have the Flower Garden Ceremony. Inviting
monks to pray at the house instead of buying farang cake and having kids running
around the house. Meng Chu was 9yrs old and she the only child who spent money
wisely. She never bought new clothes but took her mother’s old cloth to wear. Even
for cookies that her siblings ate only half, she wrapped them in paper bag and gave to
poor children.
Letter 56
In this letter is about another new invention coming to the world which is television.
Mui Eng, with the support of her sister, Ang Buai, urged Suang U to buy a television
set. But Suang U first refused the offer, as he was very careful when it came spending
money. At the end of the day, he still decided to buy the television set for more than 5
thousands baht, but it was under some conditions and rules. He only allowed the girl
to watch the TV up to 8:30 at night and after Weng Khim come back from Chinese
school at 8:30 he could watch it until 9:30, providing that there was no homework. If
any of the children broke the rule, the TV would be sold immediately. After the TV
was bought the children’s performances at school must not go down as well. So all of
them had dinner together and after that the 3 adults had a chatter. Suang U learned
that his mother-in-law was sick and she was getting weaker and weaker, and to Ang
Buai surprise, Suang U recommended a Thai doctor who tended his illness after the
death of his father. After their chatter Ang Buai went back to her own home and
Meng Chun asked to go and stay at her aunt’s house for a night because she was
worried about her grandmother.
 Letter 57
In letter 57 is about Suang U’s first experience at the nightclub. So this letter began in
the night that Suang U finished all his day job, and felt lonely as Mui Eng went to
opera with Ang Buai and all his children went to sleep, so he went to Seng’s house for
a visit. When Suang U just reached Seng’s house, Seng urged him to go dancing at
the nightclub with him and Kim. Suang U also hesitated at first as he never went
there, but he was dragged their by Seng at the end. So Suang U and Seng went to pick
up Kim and they went to the nightclub together. At there, Suang U thought that the
nightclub was dark, crowded and very noisy with the music playing, and he noticed
that most of the customers were old men.
Letter 58
In this letter Suang U visited Kim’s shop. When Suang U got there he learned that
Kim’s shop was crowded with customers and he also noticed that most of Kim’s
customers were coolies, laborers and ordinary people. After Kim was done with his
work, both Suang U and Kim went upstairs to have a private talk. Suang U went to
Kim’s shop because wanted to betrothed his son, Weng Khim, with Rose, the only
Kim’s daughter. However, Kim was hesitated to decide as he didn’t want Suang U to
regret this decision later.
Letter 59
Mui Eng and Ang Buai’s mother died in this letter. The doctor had identified the
cause behind the death of their mother and it was a heart attack. After the death of the
mother, Ang Buai grieved the most as she spent her time with her mother the most
after her father was dead. Ang Buai shut herself off from the rest of her remaining
relatives and she did not sleep at all after the death of her beloved mother, which
worried her relatives especially Mui Eng. Also, little Meng Chu offered to stay and
take care with her aunt for the whole weeks, as she was worried about her aunt. One
more thing about the funeral, Suang U thought that it was strange that he could not
say whether it is a Chinese or Thai funeral. And he made his remark that his Chinese
old tradition changed little by little as the year moved forward.
Letter 60
In this letter, Suang U could not import the products from China anymore as the
government had declared that it was illegal to import any products from China. And
there was a man came to his office and offered Suang U the opportunity to smuggle
the products from China. However, Suang U did not accept the man’s offer, as he did
not want to commit or involve in any crime. But, Mui Eng wanted Suang U to take
the risk as she saw the opportunity to grow more profit and Suang U rejected her as
well. Later, he learned that Kim and Seng sold the smuggled products. So Suang U
went to warn Kim that he would be deported if the government found out that he
sold the Chinese merchandise and so Kim was alarmed and hid all the smuggled
products from the public. However, Suang U did not warn Seng as he knew that
Seng took the risk with knowledge about the consequences because Seng, unlike
Kim, read newspaper like Suang U every day.
Letter 61
The letter started with Suang U being offered a directorship in Society of Chinese
Merchants and Sang U also mentioned that Chinese people can now petition for Thai
Citizenship though they also have to get Thai names to do so. There was also Weng
Khim’s reaction to his engagement with Rose, who is Kim’s daughter. Weng Khim
dislikes it very much. Suang U was also having new fear after hearing about how sons
and daughters nowadays move out of their family homes after marry. He thought back
to how his adoptive father was so lonely living alone without having family; thus,
making Suang U afraid of such a future.
Letter 62
Suang U and his family were on seaside vacation. While on the vacation Suang U
faced with many shocking events. First, he saw girls playing on the beach wearing
bikini. Despite, also staring, he thought that it was shameful and inappropriate. He
also started to fear for his daughters future. After that, Suang U who was strolling on
the beach at night saw a bunch of teenagers drinking and dancing intimately. He was
stupefied at how shamefully those kids were acting. Again, next morning Suang
happened upon a scent event more petrified. There were naked women walking and
bathing on the beach like it was normal. Suang U, again ended up afraid of how the
new society might have influent his children in bad ways.
Letter 63
There was a fired accident in the city. Many of Thais thought that it was all the
conspiracy of the Chinese. However, Suang U disagreed. He thought that it is stupid
for Chinese people to do so, as they could not even own any land. Suang U and Kim
also discussed the accident. Kim told Suang U that the fire happened near his house
and how he and his wife had been so afraid and moving around frantically. There was
also the news of capturing and punishment the culprit. Suang U thought that the
punishment for the arson was too heavy.
Letter 64
Suang U mentioned how their baking business was slowing down, not many
costumers as before. He also talked about the unseen influence of Japanese growing
throw the coming technology and entertainment. He seemed to be interested in radio
as it now had broadcasts in Mandarin and play Chinese music. In spite of his interest,
it seemed that no one in his family share his hobby at all. There was also mentioned
of farang inspired style on building and stores throughout the city. The treatment of
farang and Chinese people were very different. While Thais seemed to be very
friendly to that of the farang, they treated Chinese people with distaste. They thought
that Chinese either were too poor or too stingy to buy anything. With the new
technologies growing and his wife way of accepting and adapting to those new things,
Suang U started to question about his way of family life and what of its meaning.
Letter 65
The lette was about Suang U ’s children. His third daughter, Meng Chu has refused to
leave school. She and Suang U got into an argument and she ran away from home to
her aunt, Ang Buai’s house. After, Ang Buai came to criticize Suang U, saying that
Suang U was being unfair toward Meng Chu. After arguing for a while, Suang U
agreed to go with Ang Buai to her house to talk to his daughter again. In the end,
having seen how earnest Meng Chu was, Suang U finally gave in to her request and
she promised to return home in three days.
Letter 66
Missing his mother, Suang U thought of returning home to Po Leng; however, he had
no idea what he would do there or how would his family adjust as they had always
lived in Thailand. His business was still in trouble and with the new government law
also bring no profit and it’s getting harder for him to handle everything so he resigned
from his post as a director of society Chinese merchants. Suang U learned about
‘Share’ and lost 5000 baht last month. Though, he disapproved of gambling, he
thought that playing share was a type of investment. He also mentioned other money-
making methods such as money-lending, and ‘selling on time’ which basically mean
leasing. Suang U found out that his son has been smoking cigarette so he disciplined
Weng Khim about the consequences of smoking but then ended up buying a new
watch for his son so that he would quit smoking.
 Letter67
This letter was about Suang U’s view on the changing tradition of society such as
fashion, hairstyle, makeup, and plastic surgery. Girl clothing was getting shorter and
shorter. Ugly curls and bush replaced long straight hair. There was also weird trend of
makeup. Suang was amazed of how girls walking in high heels. Ang Buai came to
visit and the family chatted about various things. She then ended up talking about how
girls nowadays could change their bodies by having plastic surgery, which Suang U
thought was absurd. The conversation then shifted to dating and married, which ended
up with Mu Eng and Ang Buai arguing over how Ang Buai was too old to stay single.
In the end Ang Buai said that she was interested in someone but he was not her type.
Then, she said she just made him up and went home, leaving Suang U to wonder
whether she had lied about that as he recalled seeing a similar man across from Ang
Buai’s shop.
Letter 68
Chui Kim and Bak Li got their hair cut without asking for permission from Mui Eng
but she’s fine with it. Suang U got angry but didn’t show it, he noticed that his girls
started to wear high-heels and make up. His children wanted to change the name so he
couldn’t refuse and they got their Thai name as Witthaya, Dueanphen, Maliwan and
Philo-charat.
Letter 69
Suang U found out that Chui Kim was talking with a boy with long hair and tight
jean. He got mad and warned if she did it again she wouldn’t see beyond her mother’s
shop until she got married. Bak Li told her parents that the shop owner wanted to
sponsor Chui Kim for the Vachiravudh Beauty Contest. Suang U refused this idea and
told his daughter how importance was the Chinese girls to not show themselves
before men.
Letter 70

There is good news in Suang U’s family. Kim becoming a matchmaker informs his
friend that there is merchant looking for a daughter-in-law from a prosperous house.
Upon hearing the man’s name, Seng Huat, Suang U becomes interested because Seng
Huat is a suitable man for his daughter, Chui Kim, since he is well educated, a first-
rate bookkeeper and a big handsome strong man. S However, he prefers to be sure of
his interest in Chui Kim before to think her available. Suang U being a smart man
makes a visit to the merchant house in Chui Kim’s company. He lets Chui Kim
outside first and after that he tries to observe the man whose eyes stray carefully to
her. Before they bid goodbye, he introduces his daughter, which pleases the whole
merchant’s family. Suang U cares for his daughter’s opinion concerning marriage
even though that family has asked for her hand, set Chui Kim up with her own shop
and spends tens of thousands bath on her future. The dates are set, betrothal on March
and wedding on October.

Letter 71

Seng Huat’s family sends Kim to Suang U’s house bearing gifts wrapped in red paper
- the ring, earrings, necklace Chui Kim has chosen, together with six thousand baths
in betrothal money and a few cakes. Chui Kim’s betrothal day has passed. The
thought of playing farang appears when Chui Khim desires wearing her ring to show
off that she has fiancé. Thai government made law requiring people wear hats and
gloves, kiss each other in public, and no one chewed betel nut. Behaving in such way,
they would become a great power too. From Mui Eng’s perspective, playing farang is
a cheap way to behave and they soon enough tired of it. At one point, Chui Kim
makes fun of her husband-to-be to the employees which arouses her father’s anger.
To him, Chui Kim should be with modesty and respect for others, especially for her
father and husband. A truly beautiful woman must be beautiful within, and she
understands what is expected of her.

Letter 72

The real joy comes to both families for the wedding. Chinese custom doesn’t allow
the bride’s parent to attend, but Chui Kim’s sisters, brother, friends, and Ang Buai’s
presence put Suang U’s mind at ease. The time for the bride to be sent to her new
home is set at 3:45 in the morning. Mui Eng and Suang U present Chui Kim with gifts
– a ring, a gold watch, a jeweled necklace and a matching bracelet – bought with the
betrothal money.

Letter 73

In this letter, Suang U talks about Weng Khim who has to serve in the military service
once he turns 20 years old. There are many techniques that one can use to avoid the
service such as bribing the money to the government and faking that one has crooked
fingers or a poor health. Suang U wants Weng Khim to avoid the draft by using
money, but he will not allow Weng Khim using the trick of faking that he has a poor
health or crooked fingers like what mostly Thais use. Also, Suang U gives Weng
Khim a much higher salary so that Weng Khim can save toward the draft. Suang U
wants Weng Khim to marry Rose before he turns 20 years old, as well, but Weng
Khim refuses by complaining that Rose acts like a fish peddler in the market. Bak Li
and Meng Chu are also mentioned in letter. Bak Li works at the beauty parlor. Meng
Chu still studies, and she plans to study bookkeeping, Chinese, and more English
when she graduates. Meng Chu tells Suang U about how Thai children making fun of
her name while Suang U encourages her to do her best and praises her about her hard-
working.

Letter 76

In this letter, Suang U faced the dilemma of losing Weng Khim or accepting Phanni
who was a prostitute into his home. Suang U’s decision to accept Phanni into the
house, on the other hand, was disagreed by almost everyone. As a matter of fact,
Suang U thought that Phanni would not like the way his family was living. When she
grew bored, she would leave. So, he went to little house in Soi King Phet immediately
to meet Phanni. After arriving there, Suang U and Phanni started having conversation
while Weng Khim was sleeping. Suang U asked Phanni about her monthly income,
her family members, and her past. Phanni said that she used to have lots of foreign
customers who were Chinese, Thais, Indians, and Farang, and one of the old man
used to bought his son from her for thirty thousand baht which she blew it all playing
poker in one month. Although Suang U tried to persuade her, Phanni still did not want
to go. Suddenly, Weng Khim came out and told Suang U that he did not come home
with him, and they would let Suang U knew when would they want to go back. After
two weeks, Suang U did not receive any reply, so he went to ask Phanni. Suang U
argued with her almost an hour; finally, she agreed to try and went with him. Mui Eng
and Suang U prepared the largest bedroom for them, and put Bak Li with Meng Chu
together, which naturally displeased her. All members in the house did not like
Phanni. At first, Suang U wanted Weng Khim to marry Rose. Ang Buai, however,
seemed to agree with Suang U’s decision since she thought Suang U was in dilemma
and did not know how to do.

Letter 77

Phanni had been living in Suang U’s home, but her living behaviors were totally
different from others. Moreover, Suang U was afraid that she would emulate his
daughters. All family members rose at five and prepared for the business while
Phanni rose at eleven, and Mui Eng could not stand with such a bad behavior and
irritated. At night, Phanni went to bed late; she turned on the TV and radio that
annoyed Bak Li so much she could not sleep, and Meng Chu could not study. One
day, Suang U told Weng Khim that Phanni let his sisters do the laundry for her. While
everyone gobbled food wordlessly and fell into bed exhausted, Phanni wandered
aimlessly about the house carrying radio with her. The house seemed no peace at all.
At home, the laundry battle continued, and it was followed by the battle of the lights.
One early morning, Kim came to Suang U’s office with the presents they had given as
a sign of betrothal. Few days past, Mui Eng seemed to accept Phanni because she has
begun dragging herself out of bed at eight every morning and helping Mui Eng in the
store. Suang U, however, still hoped that she would leave one day.

Letter 78

Everybody in the family seemed to like Phanni. In the beginning, Phanni was
considered less than a welcome guest in the house, but Bak Li no longer avoided her
and spoke with her in an ordinary and courteous manner recently. However, Phanni
left home in the dark hour, taking with her Mui Eng’s silver, precious items, and a
great sum of money which was taken from the bank to pay employees, and the money
which collected from customers. Everyone in the family was scared, Weng Khim, on
the other hand, still took on Phanni’s side. Moreover, Mui Eng called the police after
having breakfast, and the police thought the losing items could not be found.

Letter 79

The police have not found Phanni or her fellow conspirators. For Meng Chu, she
would graduate in two weeks, and she demanded to work for her father and asked for
the same amount of payment like Weng Khim. Suang U disagreed, but Meng Chu
wanted to save that money for her own future usage. Bak Li, however, has a
boyfriend whose Thai name is Surasak. Suang U was always complaining about the
living standard of Thais. He thought Thais achieved nothing, imported almost
everything from other countries, grew rice and never thought for the future. While
having little money, they spent on going to nightclub or massage parlors. Thais
thought that investing on factory is too slow to earn a profit. On the other hand, Suang
U also admitted that some Chinese merchants are crooks; they always try to take
advantages of Thais in every way they can.

Letter 80

There were good news and bad news in this letter. The good news was that Weng
Khim had agreed to marry Rose after searching for Phanni for two weeks without any
more hope. Weng Khim and Suang U started working together ran errands together
and returned home together. He even went to visit Kim a few times, and was friendly
and polite to Rose. The bad news was that Weng Khim assumed to be infected since
Meng Chu had found a small white paper envelope on his dresser. In the evening,
Suang U asked Weng Khim to share a pot of tea with him in the kitchen in order to
ask about that problem. Firstly, Weng Khim said he was all right, but Suang U told
him to see a doctor, and would keep seeing doctor until the doctor say he is cured. In
that night, Weng Khim ended up ranting his feeling that he had bottled up for a long
time to his father. Weng Khim did not like what Suang U expected him to be, and he
liked Phanni because she showed him how to be happy and how to forget those bad
things.

Letter 81

In this letter, Bak Li had brought more shame upon Suang U; she was pregnant.
Surasak did not tell Bak Li to abort, but he said he could not yet afford to marry. After
learning this crisis from Meng Chu, Ang Buai told Suang U to pay for the whole
wedding in order to solve the problem, but Surasak set the price of Bak Li’s honor so
high, and he declared he could not live as a married man in his sister’s house which
let Suang U took over the payment on a new house. Chui Kim was furious when she
learned of this crisis. She seemed to dislike what Bak Li had done to Suang U. After
marrying, Bak Li will keep on working. Bak Li complained about her mother-in-law.
She was a dirty woman who never used soap, not even to wash clothes. On the other
hand, Suang U will be a grandfather soon, though he wished it were Rose’s child and
not Bak Li’s.

Letter 82

Suang U read newspaper about Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, the political leader of
Thailand and a man of great power, died. It’s about his nearly 200wives and their
properties. Weng Khim and Rose got married so Suang U invited his friends and
business associates to a fine party to celebrate the wedding ceremony. Meng Chu
suggested to go to Hua Hin, Weng Khim protested to go Bang Saen and Ang Bui
insisted to go to Pattaya.

Letter 83
We rented a hired car with a driver for our trip to the beach. Before we had traveled
10 km, I was uneasy about our young driver, who sped through traffic in fearful
manner. 30 km from Bangkok, he pulled out to pass the car in the front of us, knew at
once that the truck approaching us in the opposite lane was coming near far too
quickly and our car speeding too fast and then came the moment of terror. Mui Eng is
dead but all of them are doing fine. The driver escaped. Meng Chu suffered the
broken arm.
Letter 84
On the day we returned from Chonburi, Chaba was at home waiting for us, red-eyed
and silent. She has become extremely thin. Perhaps Mui Eng’s death affected her so
strongly.
Chinese people want to cemetery because it is their culture to do that but I think
crematory is good idea so we don’t have to drive 50 mile to honor family grave since
land keeps getting more scarce and also Chantaburi is no land for us.
I shall have her cremated because it is the sensible thing to do.
Letter 85
I want to Weng Khim married with Rose. 3 years is long time. Surely Rose does not
want to remain betrothed for 3 years. I will invite only 50 guest, our relatives, close
sae brother and few business associates.
Letter 86
Meng Chu wants to marry with Winyu who is a Thai schoolteacher. I don’t want her
to get marry with him but to get marry with Chinese. And Meng Chu said she is going
to marry with Winyu because she thinks she can be happy together.

Letter 87

Suang U did not really approve to Meng Chu’s wedding, but Ang Buai was very
supportive. She even thought of offering to buy them a choice between a plot of land
and an automobile as a wedding gift; however, Meng Chu refused. She did not want
to accept anything so extravagant. Meng Chu told her auntie that some pots and pans
were great already for her wedding gift. Ang Buai, by the way, asked Meng Chu
about her job searching. Meng Chu replied that Winyu would be offered a teaching
post when he graduated with only a thousand baht a month but would be increased by
the time he got his master’s degree, and she would find a job as a bookkeeping which
could get another thousand baht. Hearing this, Suang U said that she would never
keep her bellies filled to the end of a month with these amounts of income. Moreover,
Suang U also asked Meng Chu about the betrothal gift, and her response was one
small gift to remember the day since both of Meng Chu and Winyu were frugal. She
added that all her wanted was to feel that Suang U was not displease with her. Meng
Chu told Suang U that Winyu’s mother was coming to see him soon to ask for her
hand. She also talked about her Family planning that she would take the pills to
postpone having children, which Suang U thought that it was a sin to do so.
Annoyingly, Suang U asked Meng Chu about what did Winyu gave her as a token of
his esteem. Meng Chu smiled proudly and said that he gave her a beautiful necklace,
gold with a pendant of diamond chips surrounded by pearls. Meng Chu told her father
and her aunt that on her wedding day, there must be a water-pouring ceremony, and
they were thinking of doing a small wedding dinner with only four dishes. Suang U
was very shocked as he suggested that at least they should have a proper meal for the
wedding but Meng Chu refused his idea. The day of Winyu’s mother visiting was
arrived; after talking for a while Winyu’s mother told Suang U that she could tell that
he did not like her son, but she still said that she was very pleased to have Meng Chu
as her daughter-in-law than a farang. After Winyu’s mother left the room, Bak Li
burst into the room with the red-eyed from crying and told Suang U that she could not
stand her mother-in-law anymore as she was so dirty and complained all the time.
Suang U replied that she was the one who chose this man without asking him for any
advices so she did not have any rights to come in and complained about her marriage,
only Weng Khim and Chui Kim was allowed. Sick of this thing, Suang U wanted to
close Mui Eng’s shop and moved to Thonburi and leave his children to their own
lives.

Letter 88

Suang U told his children that he wanted to close Mui Eng’s shop and moved to
Thonburi. Again, Meng Chu insisted her father to marry with Ang Buai because she
knew that both of them cared for each other, and he would have someone with him
when he moved to Thonburi away from them. But Suang U still denied this idea, by
giving Meng Chu two reasons: first, if Ang Buai refused him, he would never be able
to look her in her eye again, and second, people would gossip about him marrying his
sister-in-law. By the way, Suang U also told Meng Chu that he would move to live in
a small, quite house with a swamp land at the back. He was going to open a small
store there too. The reason behind this was because he fed up with this place. He
missed his wife, his children, and other activities that used to have in this house.
Everyone left only Meng Chu who was about to get married stayed, but she soon also
left the house too. After lost in the thought of this loneliness, Suang U was chocked
up with tear when he heard Meng Chu came into the house, and called him to the
kitchen to have tea with her. Meng Chu happily told her father two good news. The
first one was Winyu had a job at Sathit school which was a government school, and
the second one was that she got a job as a bookkeeper. Her salary was quite good, one
thousand eight hundred, and if she worked well in three months, she would get two
thousand. At the end of this chapter, Suang U decided to divide everything among the
children except his clothes. And he was waiting to see who would miss and came to
visit him.

Letter 89

Suang U soon would live in his new home in Thonburi. Last Saturday Weng Kim and
his wife went to see the house with Suang U, and they were greatly horrified with
what they saw because the lane was in deep muddy water. He haven’t move to his
new house yet because the lease arrangements on the old house was not completed, so
he moved around in both place. Among his children, only Meng Chu often helped
Suang U to clean and to organize the place, Chui Kim and Bak Li only came to help
occasionally; for Weng Khim and Rose, he thought they would only came to his new
home when he died. At that time, Meng Chu became a married woman, and her
wedding day passed uneventfully. Suang U did not attend the wedding as always, and
he only knew about the wedding from Ang Buai. She told Suang U that it was a
lovely wedding, and they did not serve any liquor which was opposite to Chinese
tradition. Some of Winyu’s classmates bought them a small refrigerator, Meng Chu’s
friend gave them a stove and Ang Buai gave them an electric fan. Suang U gave them
a bank book because he thought that it would be useful for their children at least.
However, he asked Ang Buai to keep this for Meng Chu for the time being as he did
not want them to know about this since he did not want to look as though he approved
the marriage. Not only did he give Meng Chu money, but every son and daughters
were also received. Weng Kim used this money to expand his business, Chui Kim
wanted to keep this money in case of an emergency and did not tell her husband about
the since she afraid he would use the money to invest in anything, and so did Bak Li
because she afraid that her husband would take it all from her. Suang U stayed for a
lunch at Bak Li’s house, and he felt sorry for Bak Li the day she came crying to him
after saw what her mother-in-law did to her.

Letter 90

Suang U moved to Thonuri alone where there were not so many people but they were
friendly and cherished Chinese culture. Suang U ‘s children all get married but his
wife died. No children came to visit him except Meng Chu. She came to clean the
house, do laundry and cook for her father. Ang Bui came to see him too, and his
neighbor asked why if didn’t marry her, living with no on around is lonely.
Letter 91
Suang U lived by himself for 3months and became a lonely man. He couldn’t bear the
society of the coffee shop because the young men, they teased the waitresses with bad
jokes and gambling. Some of them used drugs and at night they came the tree behind
his house to commune the evil sickness. Meng Chu tried to marry Suang U off but her
father didn’t care much about remarried. He went to visit Ang Bui as a repaid the last
time she came to visit him.
Letter 92
There was a fire in Thonburi, fortunately it didn’t burn Suang U’s house down.
Winyu was the first person to come to Suang U then Ang Bui. Meng Chu and Weng
Khim came at dusk. Rose was like a head of the family now because she help Weng
Khim with everything because she really loved him.
Letter 93
Rose started to change when Suang U came and live with them. She’s mad when all
old customers came straight to him the same with the workers. She felt inexistence
when Suang U was with her. She started to change her behavior towards people
(servant, cook). He visited Chui Kim frequently and asked her what would she do
with the money he gave her and she wanted to use it for land (ask Seng Huat’s
approval). Meng Chu had a baby girl and Suang U decided to stay with Chui Kim.

Letter 94
Suang U heard Weng Khim and Rose talking about his presence. They didn’t really
happy about that but in front of Suang U, they pretended like they really want him to
stay with them because they’re afraid of losing face. Suang U moved to Chui Kim’s
house for a month and he thought that didn’t belong there because they lived like
farang. He worried about Bak Li because he didn’t trust Surasak to give her any
happiness. His last decision was moving to Meng Chu and Winyu.
Letter 95
Suang U liked Meng Chu and his in law, they were good people, not extravagant anf
he enjoyed living with them, time and peace. He felt bored doing nothing then he ask
his in law if there was any store to rent so he could sell things to kill his boredom. He
sold tinned food and candies from morning till evening. Bak Li came to Meng Chu’s
house and asked about the money Suang U gave her. Bak Li got 3000baht and Weng
Khim got the most.
Letter 96
Weng Khim came to his father when the business went down because only his father
could help but Suang U only tell him what to do and not gave him money so he got
angry and left. He gave Winyu 5000baht and he accepted it at last. Meng Chu went to
talk with Ang Bui to accept Suang U as a husband and start new life again.