Khun Chang Khun Phaen, Thailand's most famous legend – part 1

Thailand's most famous epic is about the tragic love triangle between Khun Chang, Khun Phaen and the beautiful Wanthong. The story probably dates back to the 17^de century and was originally an oral narrative full of drama, tragedy, sex, adventure and the supernatural.

Over time, it has been constantly modified and expanded, and has remained a popular and entertaining epic told by itinerant storytellers and troubadours. It was at the Siamese court, in the late nineteenth century, that the story was first recorded in writing. This resulted in a standardized, sanitized version of this famous story. Chris Baker and Pashuk Phongpaichit translated and adapted this story for an English speaking audience and published 'The Tale of Khung Chang, Khun Phaen'.

This thick English edition is actually required reading for anyone interested in Thai literature. To introduce the Dutch reader to this epic, I have put together a shortened version of the story. Think of it as a kind of introduction to the storyline. Out of necessity, all kinds of scenes and details have been omitted, I sometimes make quick jumps in the storyline. I mainly focus on the relationships and dialogues of the main characters. To really appreciate the story, to really enjoy it, I strongly recommend reading the book itself. This is available in an extensive edition, full of drawings and footnotes, among other things. These give extra interpretation to the story and the backgrounds. Those who prefer to read only the story in itself are well off with the shortened 'abridged' edition of this classic.

• The Tale of Khun Chang Khun Phaen: Siam's Great Folk Epic of Love and War, Translated and edited by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit, Silkworm Books, ISBN: 9786162150524.
• The Tale of Khun Chang Khun Phaen Abridged Version, ISBN: 9786162150845.

Main characters:

The core of the story revolves around the following characters:

• Khun Chang (ขุนช้าง, khǒen Cháang): A rich man but ugly and evil person.
• Phlai Kaeo (พลายแก้ว, Phlaai Khêw), later Khun Phaen (ขุนแผน, khǒen Phěn): the hero but also a real womanizer.
• Phim Philalai (พิมพิลาไลย, Phim Phí-laa-lij), later Wanthong (วันทอง, Wan-thong): the powerful and beautiful woman that both men fall head over heels for.

Note: 'khun' (ขุน, khǒen) refers to the lowest rank in the old Siamese system of official titles. Not to be confused with the well-known 'khun' (คุณ, khoen), which simply means sir/madam.

Phlai Kaeo in the monastery

This is the story of Phlai Kaeo, Khun Chang¹ and the fair Phim in the kingdom of Ayuttaya. Chang came from a wealthy family but has the misfortune of being an extremely ugly child. He has been largely bald since birth and this is a source of gloating and bullying for the other children in the village. Phlai Kaeo and Phim were the only ones in Suphan to play with Chang. Sometimes they argued, for example when the three played father and mother and Kaeo hit his boyfriend Chang on the top of his bald head.

A few years later, Phlai Kaeo lost his father and had to leave Suphan village with his mother. The paths of the three did not cross again until Kaeo turned fifteen years old. He entered the temple as a novice, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his late father, a mighty and learned warrior. The abbot took him under his wing as an apprentice and so novice Kaeo learned to perform magical mantras and divinations.

After months of staying in the temple, the Songkran festival was coming. On the special day it was that Phim, dressed in her best day, came to make an offering to the monks of the temple. Mumbling on her knees, she happened to spot novice Kaeo out of the corner of her eye. From the moment their eyes met, her heart was on fire. But she knew that as a woman she was not allowed to express her feelings in any way. That would only result in disapproving gossip and backbiting. It was not only the young Phim but also novice Kaeo who was overcome with intense infatuation.

Phlai Kaeo meets Phim in a cotton field

Early in the morning, during the alms round, the novice visited Phim's house and spoke to Saithong², Phim's adopted sister. “Come to the cotton fields tomorrow afternoon, Phim and us servants will be there then,” said Saithong. Novice Kaeo smiled and replied, "If the cotton fields are a success I will reward you." The afternoon of the meeting, the novice escaped with civilian clothes under his arm. He spoke to Monk Mi, “I am leaving now, allow me to take off my habit and re-enter when I return”. Monk Mi agreed “Fine, but bring betel nut and tobacco with you when you return”. In a great mood of joy, Kaeo went to the cotton fields. There he found Phim alone behind a cotton bush and sweetly expressed his love. Phim, however, scolded him: “Visit my mother and ask for my hand in marriage, if she agrees I will be happy to make you my husband. But the way you're chasing your crush around here terrifies me. People will gossip if they see us two together like this. Come and ask for my hand in the right way. You're in too much of a hurry, like you're so hungry you're even eating uncooked rice.” Novice Kaeo couldn't restrain herself and tried to pull Phim's clothes, but she held it tight and pushed him away, “Too bad you're not listening. Making love to me openly in the fields is nothing but talk. You cannot love me like that, follow the right way and then I will have no objection. I don't just give my body away. Know what is appropriate, go home Kaeo”. He kissed her tenderly and admired her face “You are so beautiful. Your skin is beautifully light and soft. Your eyes shine. Please let me enjoy you a little my dear. I promise you this, tonight I will visit you”.

In the evening Phim lay awake for hours and sighed “Oh Kaeo, the apple of my eye, have you already forgotten me? Are you mad at me and that's why you leave me alone? It's late, you're not here and my heart feels so empty." While Phim lay there pondering she fell asleep. It was late at night when Kaeo finally arrived at Phim's house. He used mantras to lull the residents to sleep and loosen the locks on the doors. He climbed in and headed straight for Phim's room. He kissed her as she slept and his fingers slid over her firm, round breasts, "Wake up my dear." Phim reacted with irritation at first, but he hugged her and spoke flattering words to her. Then he pushed her onto the pillow and pressed his face against hers. He whispered to her. Clouds gathered in the sky, high above, until the brim loaded with rain, the wind stirred. When the first rain broke loose there was no stopping it. Phim was head over heels in love and so they lay in bed together. She hugged him longingly. Neither of them felt like sleeping. At dawn he addressed her “Oh my dear Phim, unfortunately I have to leave, but tonight I will definitely be back”.

Khun Chang asks for Phim's hand

Now let's talk about Khun Chang. He was crazy about Phim. Day in and day out she was on his mind. He spoke to his mother about his infatuation, “Mother dear, Phim begs me to marry her, we have been in love with each other for a long time”. Mother didn't believe it. “You're just like a lying schoolboy. Phim is enchanting like the moon, you are like a turtle in the grass wishing for the starry sky. Do you really think you can have her my son? You have tons of money, why don't you use it to get a nice girl? Phim doesn't want you. When you were children, they teased you about your bald head. Her language is unbearable, I can't stand it”. Khun Chang responded, "When we are husband and wife, love and fear will see that she dare not speak to me in that way." He prostrated himself at his mother's feet and placed her foot on top of his bald head, then burst into tears. “What do you think with such a hairless head? I don't see how anyone would go for you. Phim is beautiful as a wonderful Kinnari³, what would the neighbors say if she mated with an ugly pig like you? Go away with those crocodile tears of yours”.

Prost

Khun Chang left and visited Phim's mother. He prostrated at her feet and said, “Excuse me ma'am, but I'm desperate. I am very rich and do not know where I can safely store it, I am being robbed left and right. I'm looking for an extra pair of eyes to watch over my wealth. Every day I think of Phim. If you agree, I will ask my parents to talk to you. I will donate cattle, rice fields, money, clothes and more”. Phim and Saithong secretly listened from a room next door. "How dares he!" She opened the window and pretended to call a servant: “Ta-Phon! What are you up to now? Come here, you evil hairy bald head! You really don't pay attention to my wishes, do you?". Khun Chang heard this and felt humiliated. He quickly made his way out.

Phim felt downhearted. After their first night together, she hadn't heard from Phlai Kaeo in days. She sent Saithong to take a look. Saithong secretly climbed into the wooden Kuti hut where novice Kaeo was staying. Kaeo flirtatiously told her that he craved intimacy but that the abbot had been making him study and work hard for days, so he had no chance to visit Phim. But he was going to do his best, really!

Phlai Kaeo enters Saithong's room

Back from a visit to Phim's house, Khun Chang was upset for days. He could barely eat or sleep. He cut the knot, “I may be ugly as the night, but with my wealth Phim's mother will definitely agree to a marriage”. He put on his finest clothes, clothed himself in gold jewelry, and had a series of servants follow him to Phim's house. He received a warm welcome, “What brings you here, speak freely as if you were at home”. “Khun Chang seized the moment and let it be known that he wanted to make Phim his wife. Mother listened with a broad smile and liked a rich son-in-law. “Phim, Phim, where are you? Come and say hello to our guest”. But Phim wouldn't hear of it and again pretended to scold a servant, “Instead of a dog you were born, go to hell! Who wants you now? Get the hell out, you mutt-licked mango! You only think of yourself”.

Mother was furious and ran after Phim, “You with your dirty mouth, you can't do that!”. She gave Phim a good beating until Phim's back was red with blood and her face was a waterfall of tears. Crying, Phim ran off. She and Saithong fled the house and made their way to the temple. Seeing novice Kaeo brought a smile to her face again, “Oh Kaeo, you have spoken all nice words so far, you were going to ask for my hand but I am still waiting. And now Khun Chang has asked for my hand with mother's consent. I resisted but she was ruthless and attacked me with a stick. What do you have to say about that? Confess or I'll scold you!" Novice Kaeo saw the dark clouds and tried to comfort her. “That damned Khun Chang is causing all sorts of trouble my dear. However, my mother does not want me to take off my habit and leave, we are poor and have no starting capital. My heart belongs to you but I don't know what to do.” Phim fired back “Why are you so slow? Why can't you get money? Don't you really love me sometimes? Oh my karma! Why was I also born a woman?! I fell for your beautiful words and now I fear that you will drop me like a brick. Come to my house tonight and I'll give you enough money. And then it must be over with those nice words of yours. Get out and see me tonight, do you hear me? No more delay.” Having said that, she got up and ran off with Saithong.

That night, Phim waits for her Phlai Kaeo, but by midnight there was no sign of him. Saithong went out to see if he was anywhere near. She soon found him and lifted her robe so he could slip in with her unseen. Hidden under her clothes, he pretended to accidentally touch her breast. When she didn't respond, he grabbed it with his full hand. Saithong pushed him away and snapped, “Hey, how dare you! This is a breast Phlai Kaeo, what you are doing is not clean! There's her room. I don't want to be seen like that." With an angry look, Saithong retreated.

Phlai Kaeo lost no seconds and quickly entered Phim's room. He could barely restrain himself and stroked her tenderly. He kissed her left and right and hugged her intensely. Their hearts beat fervently. Passion arose, chaos approached. On the ocean, the wind drove the waves and beat the shore. Then retreat and crash again on the shore. Again and again. A ship sailed into the narrow channel. The air shook, the rain broke loose. The skipper lost control and his ship collapsed on the quay.

After their lovemaking, the two lie arm in arm. “Shall I look at your horoscope my dear?”. “I was born in the year of the rat, this year I am sixteen and just blossomed”. “About two years younger than me my Phim. And Saithong? What year is she?" She is of the year of the horse, twenty-two if all goes well. But why do you ask? Are you in love with her and do you want to marry her too?” “Oh Phim, what do you always say about those strange things. Seriously, don't tease me." With those words he hugged her and soon she fell asleep. Seeing that Phim was fast asleep, his thoughts drifted to Saithong, “She's not that old yet and she's fine. Her breasts are wonderfully firm. I'll pay her a visit too, even if she doesn't want to, she won't dare scream because she let me in here”. He sneaked into Saithong's room and blew a mantra on her while his fingers slid over her body to arouse her. Saithong opened her eyes and saw Phlai Kaeo. Her heart yearned for intimacy. “You are a good man Kaeo, but this is very inappropriate. Soon Phim will catch us! Get out of here". Phlai Kaeo approached and with a smile uttered another mantra to arouse her lust. “Have pity Saithong. If you're not nice I'll hang myself soon, just wait and see”. “Are you really crazy enough to kill yourself? It's not easy being born a man!" “You are just like Phim, but a bit older. You certainly have more experience and skill.” And with those words he kissed her and pressed her body against him, "do not resist". Saithong spoke back, “You can stay but be careful with me. I'm worried that you'll play the loverboy with me and, after hooking up with me, just throw me aside. But if you really love me, you can do whatever you want with me.” He approached. Raindrops fell. A lightning flashed, the thunder rolled, the wind howled. Making love to Phim was sailing like on a calm lake, but with Saithong like being hit by a mighty storm. Soon the ship sank to the bottom⁴.

Phim opened her eyes but there was no trace of her Phlai Kaeo. “Where has my love gone? Maybe Saithong knows. Arriving at Saithong's bedroom, Phim heard the two talking to each other. When she could bear it no longer, she slammed the door open. Saithong jumped up from the bed, “Kaeo forced me! I couldn't stop him. I didn't give a kick so as not to get you into trouble." With biting sarcasm, Phim spoke “Tsss, thank you for having such an incredibly good heart. You are so kind and considerate. As straight as a hoop. You are great, really. It is we who are wrong…”. Then she turned to Phlai Kaeo. “Do you think this is a good idea?! She is older than you and has been taking care of me since childhood. But you don't care about that. You take what you can get. Ridiculous. You're like a worked-up little monkey. It's a good thing I came in now, otherwise you would have strung her on your spear again.”

“Oh Phim, it's not what it seems. I love you, but I'm worried that your mother won't agree when I ask for your hand in the morning. I'm afraid she'll give you to that ugly one. As a daughter, you can't refuse that. You will plunge into misery”. Phim opened a chest and handed him a bag containing five gold pieces. "Here, take this from me, your wife." Phlai Kaeo took the money and whispered in her ear, “I have to go now, the sun is already rising, take care of yourself, I will come back in seven days to ask your mother for your hand in marriage”. And with that he went out through the window.

To be continued…

¹ Phlai Kaeo aka 'brave male elephant', Chang aka 'elephant' .

² Saithong, (สายทอง, sǎai-thong) or 'Gold thread'. Saithong is an adopted child and her relationship with Phim is somewhere between stepsister and servant.

³ Kinnari or Kinnaree, (กินรี, kin-ná-rie), mythical creatures with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a bird. Mostly heavenly beautiful young women.

⁴ After a man and a woman had shared a bed, they were considered married. With this act, Saithong has become a wife and concubine of Phlai Kaeo.