''Koo Kam'' (Thai: คู่กรรม) is a Thai novel written by

Thommayanti Thommayanti ( th, ทมยันตี) was the pen name of Thailand National Artist Khun Ying Wimon Chiamcharoen ( th, วิมล เจียมเจริญ; 10 July 1936 – 13 September 2021), née Wimon Siriphaibun ( th, วิมล ...

. It was adapted into a 1996 film, '' Sunset at Chaopraya'', and a 2013 remake that shared the same name.

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 An invasion is a military offensive in which large numbers of combatants of one geopolitical entity aggressively enter territory owned by another such entity, generally with the objective of either: conquering; liberating or re-establishing con ...

by Japanese military forces. In

Thonburi __NOTOC__ Thonburi ( th, ธนบุรี) is an area of modern Bangkok. During the era of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, its location on the right (west) bank at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River had made it an important garrison town, which is ...

, opposite Bangkok on the

Chaophraya The Chao Phraya ( or ; th, แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา, , or ) is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand. Et ...

River, the

Imperial Japanese Navy The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN; Kyūjitai: Shinjitai: ' 'Navy of the Greater Japanese Empire', or ''Nippon Kaigun'', 'Japanese Navy') was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945, when it was dissolved following Japan's surrender ...

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 a leader in the

Free Thai Movement The Free Thai Movement ( th, เสรีไทย; ) was a Thai underground resistance movement against Imperial Japan during World War II. Seri Thai were an important source of military intelligence for the Allies in the region. Background I ...

, 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 Chintara Sukapatana ( th, จินตหรา สุขพัฒน์; ), born Chittima Sukapatana ( th, จิตติมาฆ์ สุขพัฒน์; , on January 22, 1965), nickname Mam ( th, แหม่ม; ), is a Thai actress. H ...

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 on Channel 7 starring Kwang Komoltithi as Angsumalin and

Thongchai McIntyre Thongchai McIntyre ( th, ธงไชย แมคอินไตย์, ; born Albert Thongchai McIntyre; 8 December 1958) is a Thai singer and actor. He is also sometimes known as Bird Thongchai, Phi Bird ("elder brother Bird") or simply Bir ...

as Kobori, regarded as the most successful TV series in the Thai entertainment industry history, because it received a high rating of 40, which is the highest record to date. * '' Sunset at Chaopraya'' (1996) – Starring Thongchai McIntyre as Kobori and Apasiri Nitibhon as Angsumalin * ''Koo Gum - The Musical'' (2003) – Starring Ozeki Seigi as Kobori and Teeranai Na Nongkai as Angsumalin. Seigi was the only Japanese actor who played Kobori. * ''Koo Gum'' (2004) – 12 episode TV series on Channel 3 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 on Channel 5 Starring

Sukrit Wisetkaew Sukrit Wisetkaew ( th, สุกฤษฎิ์ วิเศษแก้ว, , , born 4 September 1985), commonly known by his nickname Bie (; ), is a Thai singer and actor. He was discovered on the third season of Thai television talent contes ...

(Bie the Star) as Kobori and Noona Nuengtida as Angsumalin * '' Sunset at Chaopraya'' (2013) – Starring

Nadech Kugimiya Nadech Kugimiya ( th, ณเดชน์ คูกิมิยะ; born December 17, 1991) is a Thai actor and model. He is best known for his roles in '' Duang Jai Akkanee'' (2010), ''Game Rai Game Rak'' (2011), '' Sunset at Chaophraya'' (2013) ...

as Kobori and Oranate D.Caballes as Angsumalin

References

External links

''Koo Gum'' (1988)

''Sunset at Chaophraya'' (2013)

''Koo Gum'' (2013)
Novels by Thommayanti Novels set in Thailand Novels set in the 1930s History of Thailand in fiction Thai romance novels Novels set during World War II Historical romance novels {{romance-novel-stub