Khu Kam

Koo Kam (Thai: คู่กรรม) is a Thai novel written by Thommayanti. It was adapted into a 1996 film, Sunset at Chaopraya, and a 2013 film Sunset at Chaophraya.

Plot summary

Set in 1939, the early days of World War II in Thailand, to Angsumalin meeting one last time with her childhood friend, a young Thai man named Vanus. He is leaving for England for his studies and hopes that Angsumalin will wait for him and marry him when he returns.

Shortly thereafter, Thailand is invaded by Japanese military forces. In Thonburi, opposite Bangkok on the Chaophraya River, the Imperial Japanese Navy establishes itself at a base. The forces there are led by Kobori, an idealistic young navy lieutenant. One day he sees Angsumalin swimming in the river and falls for her. She, being a proudly nationalistic Thai woman, despises him because he is a foreigner.

Nonetheless, Kobori persists at seeing her and a courtship develops. Angsumalin found that Kobori is a real nice gentleman and start falling for him but she kept her feelings in secret because of the war.

Then, for political reasons, Angsumalin's father – who is the Leader of Free Thai resistance, insists that she marry Kobori. Understanding that Angsumalin is not marrying him out of love, Kobori promises not to touch her, but he breaks that vow after the wedding.

Despite this, Angsumalin develops tender feelings for Kobori, but is still torn by her feelings for her nation and feel guilty to Vanus, who returns to set in motion a conflict between the two men.

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

• Koo Gum (1973) – Starring Nard Poowanai as Kobori
• Koo Gum (1988) – Starring Waruth Woratum as Kobori and Chintara Sukapatana as Angsumalin (Hideko) – is the author's favourite version of Koo Gum, the review mentioned this is the best version of Koo Gum that have ever been made
• Koo Gum (1990) – 26 episode TV series starring Kwang Komoltithi as Angsumalin and Thongchai McIntyre as Kobori
• Sunset at Chaopraya (1996) – Starring Thongchai McIntyre as Kobori and Apasiri Nitibhon as Angsumalin
• Koo Gum (2004)- 12 episode TV series starring Benz Pornchita as Angsumalin and Num Sornram as Kobori
• Koo Gum 2 (2004) – A sequel showing the journey of Kobori and Angsumalin's son
• Sunset at Chaophraya (2013) – 24 episode TV series Starring Sukrit Wisetkaew (Bie the Star) as Kobori and Noona Nuengtida as Angsumalin
• Sunset at Chaopraya (2013) – Starring Nadech Kugimiya as Kobori and Oranate D.Caballes as Angsumalin

External links

• Koo Gum (1988)
• Sunset at Chaophraya (2013)
• Koo Gum (2013)