A Novel Translation of the book Duangjai Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai.
Major Mom Luang Chatklao Jutathep, a handsome young military doctor, has to go on duty as far as Chiang Rai. He meets Kwanruetai, a fierce food vendor and the village's big boss. His g...
The funeral of Pharn Boon was held at the district temple, with many attendees because he was a good-natured person, generous, and a respected elder in the area. When Mom Luang Chatklao and Pramet entered the event, everyone tured to look at them in unison. Besides their good looks, it was likely due to their attire, which was different from the locals.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Sergeant Muan, a close aide of Pramet and also a relative of Pharn Boon's wife, welcomed the two young men and took them to light incense in front of the body. Chalem was sitting and crying in front of the corpse, while her daughter sat beside her, handing them smelling salts. Upon seeing the guests, she clasped her hands in a wai, while Nong Nuch lit incense for both of them.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Mom Luang Chatklao handed the merit-making envelope he had prepared to Chalam to assist the deceased's family. This amount of money was not much for him.
"Mother Chalem, this is Khun Chat, the new doctor stationed at the camp hospital. This is Doctor Pramet, my boss. These two are the ones who performed the surgery on Chao Phorn," Sergeant Muan spoke in the Northern dialect.
Chalem clasped her hands in a wai, tears that had dried up flowed again, her eyes swollen and bruised from crying all night.
"Thank you for helping my son. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened. My husband has passed away, how will I and my children survive?" Chalem spoke in the Northern dialect as well. Her family could not speak Central Thai at all.
Boon and Phorn were the backbone of the family, with most of their income coming from foraging in the forest and collecting wild honey. They also gathered herbs to sell.
"Calm down, Aunt. Think carefully. Let's wait for Phorn to recover first."
Phorn's condition had improved somewhat, but he would need a long time to recuperate. Moreover, the family had no right to free treatment, placing the entire burden on the two women.
"But I have no money. Nuch just got married. I'm left alone with no one to help. Where can I get money to pay for the doctor?"
Mom Luang Chatklao reached out to touch Chalem's shoulder, and the elderly woman sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
