Ngao Asoke

Shadow of the Asoke Tree (Ngao Asoke)
The Golden Youth and the Orphan
Montai Mahaththada is a handsome 18-year-old who excels in everything—education, status, and lineage. As the only son of the wealthy Chao Khun Mahath and Khun Ying Tubtim, his future is bright. Montai is in love with Wiyada Hirunwat, a beautiful and charming socialite. Khun Ying Tubtim approves of the match due to their equal social standing and wishes for them to be engaged before Montai leaves to study abroad.
One day, Pee, an eight-year-old orphan girl, climbs over the fence of the Mahaththada estate. She witnesses Wiyada acting affectionately toward Montai and can’t help but laugh. Embarrassed, Wiyada begins to beat the child, but Montai intervenes. He learns that Pee lives in a dilapidated shack nearby with her grandmother, Yai Tiam, and climbed the fence just to pick Asoke leaves to eat. Pitying her, Montai gives her some money. To Pee, this amount is a fortune, and Montai’s kindness cements him in her memory as her greatest benefactor.
Family Tensions
Chao Khun Mahath is a womanizer with many concubines. Among them is Nuane, the mother of Nucha, Montai’s younger half-brother whom he loves dearly. Fearing Montai will inherit his father's philandering ways, Khun Ying Tubtim becomes paranoid. She especially targets Lakkhana, the innocent daughter of the family cook, fearing she will try to "catch" Montai.
Khun Ying Tubtim frequently beats Lakkhana, leading Khun Jiar, the head housekeeper and Khun Ying’s close friend, to warn Montai to stay away from the girl. Montai ignores the warning, as he views Lakkhana only as a sister.
A Change of Fate
Tragedy strikes when Wate, Wiyada’s father, accidentally hits Yai Tiam with his car, killing her. Before she passes, she begs Wate to take Pee in. Wiyada's mother, Wimon, renames the girl Piyachat, but despite the fancy name, Pee remains a servant in their house, at the beck and call of Wimon and Wiyada. Only Wiphawan, Wiyada’s younger sister, shows Pee genuine kindness.
Wiyada frequently uses Pee as a messenger to send notes to Montai. Through these interactions, Pee sees Montai’s gentle and humble nature, and her devotion to him grows. When Montai personally buys a beautiful evening gown for Pee to wear to his farewell party, Wiyada is consumed by jealousy. Behind Montai’s back, she takes her anger out on Pee, pinching her spitefully and chasing her back home.