Lotus in the Marsh

In the rice fields of Phon Thong subdistrict in Lopburi Province, the family of Mr. Chote and Mrs. Perm are welcoming an honored guest from Bangkok. She is Madam Khae, a wealthy widow, who brings along her son, Prasert, to visit Mr. Chote, who helps manage her rice fields. On this occasion, Prasert meets Poon, Mr. Chote’s daughter. The friendship between the two children grows quickly, and before returning to Bangkok the next morning, Prasert takes a photograph of Poon as a keepsake.
Ten years later, Prasert has grown into a handsome young man. Madam Khae, now much older, asks him to go and look after the rice fields again while taking the opportunity to visit Mr. Chote’s family. Though reluctant, Prasert follows his mother’s request, accompanied by his loyal servant Piak. Pensri, Madam Khae’s beloved niece and Prasert’s fiancée, insists on going with him, but Prasert makes excuses because he does not want to take her along.
Upon arriving in Phon Thong, Prasert sees a young woman planting rice and immediately recognizes her as Poon, the girl he met in childhood. The two gaze at each other without looking away until Piak nudges his master back to reality.
During his stay, Prasert often wanders about looking for scenic views to photograph. One day, he sees a pair of thugs attempting to assault Poon. Prasert and Piak rush in to fight them, and all four tumble into a pond. In the end, the attackers—Kaen and Luea—are defeated and flee for their lives. Before returning, Prasert asks Poon’s parents for permission to take her to Bangkok, promising to care for her as dearly as his own life.
Poon is astonished by Prasert’s grand house in Bangkok. Madam Khae warmly welcomes her, except for Pensri, who shows jealousy at Prasert’s obvious affection for Poon. Troubled, Madam Khae asks her son to send Poon back to Phon Thong for the sake of her niece, but Prasert refuses. Instead, he rents a house for Poon to live in permanently. Living alone together, love blossoms between the two.
Prasert provides Poon with fine clothes and a luxurious life in Bangkok, unaware that this causes her mother great distress out of worry, eventually leading to illness. Mr. Chote travels to bring Poon home, but Madam Khae lies, saying Prasert has already taken her back to Phon Thong. Jaew, a household servant, reveals the truth—that Prasert has secretly rented a house for Poon. Mr. Chote immediately takes Poon back home without delay. Shortly after, Prasert returns to the rented house and is heartbroken when Piak tells him what happened.
Not long after Poon’s return, Mrs. Perm passes away. Worse still, Mr. Chote is blinded after being attacked by Kaen and Luea. Poon is left to raise alone the child she has with Prasert. When a matchmaker named Nang Ploy persistently urges her to find a new husband, Poon reluctantly agrees just to end the nagging. However, as she passes a lotus pond, she recalls her mother’s teachings—to live virtuously like a beautiful flower. She turns back home in tears, regretting that she did not follow her mother’s advice.
Moved by pity, Nai Pluem travels to Bangkok to find Prasert, only to discover that Prasert is in the midst of his wedding ceremony.
Release date: March 10, 1937
Screened at: Sala Chalermburi Theatre
Source: Phapphayon Sarasarn Magazine, February 1937