| Author | Thommayanti |
|---|---|
| Country | Thailand |
| Language | Thai |
Publication date | 1969 |
Koo Kam (Thai: คู่กรรม) is a Thai novel written by Thommayanti. It was adapted into a 1996 film, Sunset at Chaopraya, and a 2013 remake that shared the same name.
Set in 1939, during the early days of World War II in Thailand, the novel opens with 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 in seeing her and a courtship develops. Angsumalin finds that Kobori is a truly nice gentleman and start falling for him but she keeps her feelings secret because of the war.
Then, for political reasons, Angsumalin's father – who is a leader in the Free Thai Movement, 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 feels guilty towards Vanus, who returns to set in motion a conflict between the two men.