The Rose of Bangkok

April 1st, the New Year’s Day of the Siamese people—men and women alike welcome it with joyful hearts. Yet the New Year does not take away the poverty of the past year from the poor; they must continue to struggle against it.
Winai Supanan’s life has been shaped by constant change. His father, Captain Luang Satchawut, passed away before he reached adulthood, leaving behind his mother, Jiam, and his young sister, Nit, to face life on their own. Time has taken its toll—Jiam, once strong and hardworking, is now blind and unable to work. Their small family is struck by hardship. With only a little over two months left before graduating, Winai is forced to quit school to support his family. He becomes a pedicab driver and befriends Thuek, a fellow driver, who becomes his close companion.
Elsewhere in Bangkok, in the home of the wealthy retired officer Colonel Phraya Sapphawut, lives his daughter Sunee, a young woman as radiant as a blooming rose in the capital. Many men, both young and old, admire her and wish to win her heart. However, none seem closer to her than Flight Lieutenant Ari Samak Yut of the Air Force, who frequently visits the house and is well known to Nim, the maid who opens the gate for him. One day, Ari comes to inform Sunee that he has been transferred to Wing 5 in Prachuap Khiri Khan and asks about their relationship, but Sunee remains indifferent, and he leaves disappointed as usual.
One day, Sunee and her father go to the bank to withdraw 6,000 baht to purchase land. On their way home, their car breaks down. Impatient, her father hires a pedicab—coincidentally driven by Winai—to take them home. Unfortunately, they forget their wallet on the seat.
When Winai returns home, he discovers the forgotten wallet. At first, Thuek suggests using the money to start a business, but Jiam insists they return it, believing the owner might reward his honesty with a good job. Despite Thuek’s objections, Jiam reminds them that a man should be of service to others and uphold the values of nation, religion, monarchy, and constitution as dearly as life itself.
Winai and Thuek return the wallet. At first, Nim tries to chase them away, seeing them as low-class, but Sunee intervenes. Her father is delighted and offers a reward of 200 baht, but Winai refuses, instead asking for a job. Impressed by his honesty, the colonel allows Winai, his family, and Thuek to stay at the house, provides Winai with a good job, and arranges treatment for Jiam’s eyes until she recovers.
Sunee begins to develop feelings for Winai, while Nim falls in love with Thuek. At first, Winai keeps his distance due to their social differences, but when Sunee confesses her feelings, he accepts her love. Soon after, both Winai and Thuek are conscripted into military service at Wing 5 in Prachuap Khiri Khan. On the night before his departure, Winai meets Sunee to say goodbye, and they promise eternal love, giving themselves to each other.
While serving in the military in Ratchaburi, Winai encounters Somsri, a sweet dessert vendor at the camp who is often harassed by soldiers. One day, when a troublemaking soldier grabs her, Winai intervenes, leading to a fight in which Winai is stabbed in the arm. Somsri tends to his wound closely. By chance, Ari sees them together but misunderstands the situation, believing they are lovers, and takes their photograph. Later, Somsri confesses her love, but Winai gently refuses, saying he already has someone and asks her to think of him as a brother.
Later, Ari takes leave to return to Bangkok and asks Sunee’s father for her hand in marriage. Her father does not refuse but wishes to consult Sunee first. Sunee delays her answer, choosing instead to go on a seaside trip with Nim to Hua Hin and then Prachuap Khiri Khan, intending to visit Winai and Thuek at the military camp. However, they are told to find them at the home of “their wives”—Somsri and her younger sister Yuang, who falsely claim to be married to Winai and Thuek. Heartbroken, Sunee returns to Bangkok and agrees to marry Ari.
On the wedding day—coincidentally the same day Winai is discharged from service—he returns home late at night, when most guests have already left. Unaware of the situation, he goes to see Sunee in her room, and they argue. In anger, Sunee pulls a gun from beneath her pillow and threatens him, but Winai refuses to leave, saying he would rather die by her hand. Unbeknownst to them, her father and Ari are listening outside. Ari steps in, reveals the truth—that Winai and Somsri are not lovers—and makes a noble sacrifice. He tells Sunee’s father that the wedding should instead be between Winai and Sunee, willingly stepping aside.

Release date: January 23, 1937
Screened at: Sala Chalerm Wiang Theatre
Format: Black-and-white 35 mm film with live narration