BANGKOK, 2004
TONG'S BELONGINGS
We all have storage space for our memories.
For me, it's these notebooks.
TONG'S EXERCISE BOOKS
Notebooks that record the stories about me and her.
It started
during the time called Y2K.
DO YOUR EXERCISES, TONG. -LIN
I'm off, Mom.
I lived in a rural, remote area of a small province.
Steel Horse, come to Daddy.
TIA NGUAN LEE
But everyone there knew me.
SUKHOTHAI, 1999
That's me, Tong, a 16-year-old boy
who'd go anywhere on Steel Horse, my motorcycle companion.
Everyone… loved us.
Uncle, good morning!
BHORN NOM SOD TOAST, PINK MILK, HOT/ICED
Damn it, Tong! What are you revving your bike for?
And I had my gang of troublemakers.
This is Dong.
Everyone calls him Donor Bong.
Or… Boner Dong.
Hey, Tong!
Loser buys sweets.
Prepare to do that.
Good day, Venerable.
Bless you.
My engine shut off. Hold on a sec.
Venerable, give me a hand.
I got it.
See you!
This chubby dude is Pao.
He's the scummiest of nerds.
But, of course, I'm the biggest piece of scum of all.
Ouch!
Dong, you bastard!
This guy is Mai.
But he's not just Mai.
He's Mai the Scratcher.
I won! Where are my sweets?
That's more like it.
Tao!
Darunee.
Saksit, Paweena, Ranee, Prayoon.
Bastard!
- You… - You?
You got me. I'm exhausted.
Take a break, little bro.
Three points.
Shit, what the hell, man?
Good morning to you all on this beautiful day.
And, lastly, there's Bank.
But we don't call him Bank.
We call him
Screw-You Bank, Shithead Bank, Jackass Bank, Piss-off Bank.
He gets on people's nerves.
- Come here, come, come. - What?
Today, I have some hot products for sale.
All five of the Yu-Gi-Exodia cards.
- Really? Let me see. - Hold on.
Let me tell you. They are authentic, coming straight from Japan.
Ah, I know you want to know more.
I'm selling them to you at a cheap price.
You selling at a cheap price?
More like you will cheat us.
No cheating. These are the five cards.
- Let me see. - No, you can't.
Stop it.
Phew!
My hair is off-limits.
I'll kick you then.
- I can dodge it as well. - I'll beat you up.
Let's beat him up!
MATTHAYOM CLASSROOM 4/3
We would come to school
not only to play with each other but also to meet a certain someone.
See? Is it cool?
Ouch!
- Someone with whom… - Damn!
Ouch!
…we collectively fell in love.
Her name is Lin.
But to me,
she's just a class president,
an outstanding student
who is the best in our grade.
Her looks?
Cute, but plain.
Lin, have you read about Y2K?
Yeah, why?
They predict that when the year 2000 arrives,
the computer system will crash.
That's only a few months away.
If that happens, the computers won't work.
It's bad enough that our computers are old.
Now, they will be totally useless.
Ja-oh, I think Y2K is just a hoax.
What is Y2K?
Dong,
have you been living under a rock?
- I only know one thing. - What?
I know that I love you.
- Ew! - Stop it!
- Go over there. Over there. Just go. - Love you?
- Lin. - You go over there too.
Why are you here?
I'm getting dizzy now.
"Kleshas" means mental states…
Back then, life between the lower and upper secondary schools
was not that different.
- They are afflictions… - They were both equally boring.
- Study, study, study. How boring! - …that cause impurified thoughts.
Kleshas are more than just things that poison the mind
in the past or present.
For example, raga…
Hey! Tong! Tong!
- Tong! Tong! - Miss, look at Tong!
- Tong! Tong! - Tong!
- Tong! Tong! - Tong, are you okay?
- Miss! - What's going on?
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey, Tong!
- Tong, are you okay? - Tong, what's the matter?
I am not Tong!
Miss, he is possessed!
Here we go.
I am Sem the God.
Sem the God.
You!
Stop the teaching now.
It's boring.
The teacher's in trouble now.
Yes, yes, yes.
Oh! Hey.
What are you doing?
Pimnara.
Pimnara, do not irk the god.
Sem the God doesn't exist.
All this guy has is phlegm.
Outrageous!
- I'll smite you! - Pimnara, show him some respect.
- Hey, Dong! - Dong! Dong!
- Dong! - He is possessed!
- Dong! - Dong!
Hey! Hey! Hey!
I am the Anaconda God.
You poisonous snake! Die!
No more class today. Let's go home.
Can you leave now?
Gone.
He's gone.
Hey, why would you kick me?
You're not Sem the God anymore, Tong?
Possession? Really? What were you thinking?
You can't do this to your teacher.
You have no manners.
Do you understand, Tong?
I am not Tong.
I am not Tong? Who are you, then?
I'm Nontawat.
I was just doing something fun because I was bored.
Yes, just a little fun.
That's ridiculous.
It wasn't your playtime. It was time to study.
No one causes more problems than you do.
Pimnara, come here.
I want Tong…
to sit in front of you
in the classroom from now on.
As the class president,
it's your job to make sure that Tong pays attention in class.
Can you do it?
- Ouch! - Teeradon! You will sit in front of Danai.
Don't you ever do something crazy like this ever again.
Got it?
Let's go.
What a mess!
Lin and I had been in the same class since lower secondary school.
Even though I sat less than a meter away from her,
the distance between an exemplary student like Lin
and a troublemaker like me…
Shit, this sucks so bad.
…remained the same.
This sucks more for one of us.
Stop being a baby.
Just because you're the class president, you think you're more awesome than others?
I am more awesome than you.
Cool.
- You? - Don't know.
Wanna fight, huh?
Lin, are you coming with me?
I got some space.
I do too.
- You got space? - Ouch!
- Go away. - Let's go.
Hey, Bank. Bank!
These guys have too much free time.
Immature. They think chicks like it.
Not true. At least not me.
I would never like this type of guy.
What kind of guy
do you like?
I don't know.
All I know is that I don't like guys who are not as smart as me.
Don't mind them.
Let's go Bhorn's.
After school, the students in this area would go to Bhorn Nom Sod.
On top of having delicious toast and pink milk,
the owner was especially kind to the students.
What a bummer!
Why did Mr. Som-mai make me take care of Tong?
I think Tong is kind of cute.
Seriously?
He likes putting things in his nose.
Disgusting.
Like this?
Exactly!
Just what is fun about that?
TONG! MISSING ITEM IS IN TONG'S NOSE.
Long or short hairdo I'll make it happen for you
But for obnoxious guys like me and my crew,
we would hang out at Uncle Haeb's after class.
- Uncle Haeb! Uncle Haeb. - Why?
Because he's got the good stuff.
Uncle Haeb.
What's up, Dong?
You're just as funny as your dad.
Do you have any new and hot films?
New release.
Keep it down. You don't want to attract the police.
Follow me.
Hey, treat me well.
Let's go.
HOT CHICKS, SEXY BOD, STALLION, VIRGINS, SKIN ON SKIN
STEEL POWER
The reason you always have a boner is because of this, right?
How would I know? You're the seller. You should know.
This is it. Keep using it.
Get hard every day.
- All right. I'll take two. - Sure thing.
- Guys. - What?
Shit.
What is it, Bank?
There's hidden camera footage of college girls.
Wow.
Must be hot.
My house was in the city,
next to the community market.
Back then,
I was the coolest guy in the eyes of the girls.
Hard work is the only way to become that cool.
Because my belief is, the coolest guy is strong.
I had a dream of becoming as strong as the Thai legendary action film star
Panna Rittikrai.
BORN TO FIGHT
Mom.
- What? - Have you finished making dinner?
No.
Let me see what's for dinner.
Tong, how many times have I told you? Put on some clothes.
You are grown.
My body is not the only thing that has grown, right?
Mom! It's hot! Please don't. It's dangerous.
Tong, the school called us today.
I can't believe you did that.
Weren't you ashamed of yourself in front of the teachers?
Spare me some dignity.
I feel shame.
Where did you pick up that nasty habit from?
I got that idea from my mom,
who's the strongest and most awesome member of the house.
From you, old fool!
Your ass is covered in wrinkles, and here you are walking around naked.
You are the reason our boy is like this. Sit your ass down.
No, of the whole district.
And your grades are dropping
because you're busy chasing after girls, huh?
I'm not interested in girls.
Or guys.
Phew.
When it comes to girls,
my buddies had different ways of chasing after them.
Girls, hold up. I've got something to show you.
What is it this time, Mai?
Lin, I have a new magic trick.
I want you to be the first to see it.
Watch this.
The rubber band is on the right.
But I will make it switch to the left.
Mai seemed to be heading in the right direction.
Girls usually like funny guys.
How's that, Lin?
- How's that? - Jeez, Mai.
You just switched your fingers. That's nothing.
If that doesn't do it for you, Ja-oh,
I have something special for you.
But girls…
did not like him.
Mai!
Ouch!
Ja-oh!
In addition to a funny guy like Mai,
I thought chicks would like a cool dude like Bank.
Oops, I dropped the ball.
Oh.
I'm sorry, Lin.
What's up, Bank?
When the ball falls out of my hand, I can pick it up.
But you can have my heart
that falls for you forever.
But he never knew how cringeworthy girls found him.
Bank, stop being so cringey.
Oops!
Go away!
A thorn in my side.
Let's go, Lin.
We have to start planning for our future.
Pao used his maturity…
Where will we study?
What faculty? What kind of work will we do?
…based on his theory that girls…
In principle…
…would go for mature guys.
…we should go for a stable job
with good welfare.
Lin and Ja-oh, when he was alive, my dad used to say,
"Don't treat life like a joke.
Otherwise,
a joker is all you'll be in life."
But the person with the weirdest method
was Dong.
In his mind, girls liked musicians.
Well, he was right about that.
As for me?
I wouldn't do what my friends did.
Because there was a beautiful girl waiting for me in my room.
HONEST, FRUGAL, DISCIPLINED
No need to rise.
Grab the book I've assigned for external reading.
Go to Chapter 3.
- Full-on, huh? - I have only one book.
- Sorry. - Where is it?
Raise your hand if you don't have the book.
Me!
I have it.
Nontawat, after all these years in school,
have you learned nothing?
Is my subject not important to you?
Grab the chair.
Grab it.
Put it over your head.
Do 150 squat jumps
while holding the chair.
MATTHAYOM CLASSROOM 4/3
- TEACHER - AH!
LIN IS CUTE. BUT SHE'S A BIT TOO NERDY.
Joi, I'm so sorry. What's the matter with you?
I just meant to grab your attention.
I'm so sorry, Joi.
Joi, come back and keep reading. I won't charge you.
I don't want to anymore.
What's up?
I just wanted to thank you for yesterday.
No need.
I didn't want to be in class anyway.
May I ask you something?
Go ahead.
Why don't you like to study?
If I pay attention, I'm afraid I might outshine you academically.
If I took it seriously,
you'd be crying like a baby.
Tong!
Let's play football with Classroom 8, with a wager.
I can't wait to show off my football skills.
500 baht. We could treat ourselves at Bhorn's.
Of course.
What's going on between you two?
Nothing.
- Let's go. - All right!
500 baht!
What was that?
It hurt!
Here.
This is an exercise book that I made.
Do these exercises at home
and hand them in tomorrow.
Take it.
TONG'S EXERCISE BOOK
Exercise for the heart?
For your brain.
For what?
So that you can look down on me for being stupid?
No, thanks.
I do not look down on you for being stupid.
I look down on you for your bias against good students,
and for not paying attention in class like your classmates.
TONG'S EXERCISE BOOK
Tong, what's gotten into you?
Why are you studying so hard?
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Your exercise book?
- TONG'S EXERCISE BOOK - SIMPLE PROBLEMS LIKE THESE?
Simple problems like these?
A genius like me can do them in a sec.
Almost every answer you wrote is incorrect.
What?
That's impossible.
You didn't review the textbook at all, did you?
This is for English,
Social Studies, and Science.
Do it at home
and turn it in tomorrow.
Why would I need to do what you say?
That's how it works.
Smart people make the rules.
Have you done the exercises?
Not yet. I'm…
I'm waiting to get my haircut.
Uncle Haeb. Uncle Haeb.
- Uncle Haeb. Ah! - Go and do the exercises.
Tong!
- Here. - What is this?
Another book for you.
Why aren't you studying?
I'm lazy.
Don't be.
- Will you study or not? - No!
- Will you study or not? - Uncle, are you free? I need a haircut.
Can't you see I'm busy? I'm checking out a bidet formula.
Buddha amulet!
Thank you for your correction.
Here's your prize.
What about Som-mai? He isn't near, is he?
Come down quickly!
Shit!
Down to the bone.
Tong, why would you be reciting this now?
I'm studying for my exam, Uncle Toei.
You?
There's no point in you studying, idiot!
Fuck what? I don't know what that means, asshole!
He's my boy all right. I'm so proud.
Danai, second place
with a score of 18.
Keep up the good work.
Yes.
Don't strut.
Siraprapa,
a score of 11.
That was close.
Take a break from drawing and pay attention to class.
Nontawat,
a score of 18.
ENGLISH EXAM, A SCORE OF 18
You can do it if you put your mind to it.
I can do it regardless
because I am a genius.
Ptui!
Who did you copy? Tell me.
Well, make sure you stay a genius.
How about…
you beat Pimnara?
Perfect score.
Teeradon.
Yes, miss.
Five.
- Oh my. - You've failed yet again.
Come and redo the test at lunchtime.
Can a second-place finisher call himself a genius?
I didn't pay too much attention,
and I got 18.
A true genius doesn't have to work hard to get good grades.
That's true.
Why, don't you believe me?
I do.
Let me ask you something.
Why do you always study hard?
You can get into any university you want.
You don't need to expect good outcomes from everything you do.
You do it because you know that it's a good thing.
Why do you need to be mature all the time?
What's good about being childish like you?
You haven't tried it. How would you know?
Tong, if you know something is foolish,
don't waste time on it.
Got it?
Hey, Preecha, Preecha.
I got 18 out of 20!
How's that? Am I good or what?
Preecha!
How would you react if you got a perfect score?
You'd be crushed.
I want to know what that feels like.
- Although Lin called me foolish… - Guys, I got 18.
…isn't a student's life supposed to be fun?
The most foolish and fun thing for me as a student was
going to a game shop after school.
We're off.
- Goodbye. - Hey! Hey!
Where are you rushing off to?
Uncle Khai's Game Shop was a popular place for kids back then.
Games were not the only things you would find here.
Eggs, besides being his namesake, were the signature dishes of this place.
Uncle Khai was very proud of his egg-boiling skills.
May I have three boiled eggs, please?
I'll have egg noodles with two boiled eggs, runny yolks, please.
I'll have the same as Pao.
- That will take a while. - Why'd you copy me?
- Nothing for me. - Nothing for me either.
If you don't want anything, don't order. It confuses me.
Pao, I'll get you good. Your house will be on fire.
Before you attack me, take care of your house.
Tong, you jerk!
Why would you double-cross me?
My Roberto Carlos is about to score.
It's a goal!
Too loud.
Bank, my joystick isn't working well.
Mai, that's not an excuse.
Tong, want to play Winning against me?
- Let me finish this game first. - Fine.
- Uncle Khai. - Yes?
How do you make such perfect boiled eggs?
The egg whites are custard-like and the yolks are runny.
Delicious.
- Uncle Khai. - Yes?
Are you going anywhere for the New Year's holidays?
No.
Taking a trip costs money. I'd rather stay home and watch my grandchildren.
In that case, could you please open your shop on New Year's Eve?
Who would do that?
Uncle, we'd like to make history by playing games as we enter the year 2000.
How about that?
Here's the thing.
If you open the shop,
we'll give you a special rate.
Do you think I can be bought?
Yes.
You are correct.
As you are regulars, I'd be glad to open the shop for you.
Another exam?
They will have us speak English, right?
I'll add more English exercises
so that Tong can do well next time.
Lin.
Yes?
Let me ask you something.
What is it?
Why do you care so much about Tong?
Mr. Som-mai asked me to do that.
But you didn't need to go to such lengths.
I hate seeing lazy people.
Tong is actually a smart guy.
But he doesn't like to do the work.
All he does is play.
Out of the whole gang,
only Pao is a good student.
I heard they'd play games into the new year.
Pao will also join.
I just don't get boys.
Shouldn't the shop owner be afraid that the computers will crash?
Why aren't they…
afraid of Y2K?
Y2K?
Why don't we try this?
Well, are you guys spending New Year's Eve playing games?
Of course.
Aren't you afraid?
Of what?
The Y2K ghost.
Lin, what's that about?
Have you seen The Ring?
The ghost that comes out of the TV?
Here's the thing.
People say
there's a legend of a female ghost
who died of electrocution in front of the computer.
On New Year's Eve,
her spirit possesses the internet.
The ghost
will emerge and kill anyone
who was on the computer on New Year's Eve.
Go in.
What?
What? Keep walking.
I thought he was a monk.
I was startled.
Uncle, why is it so dark?
It's supposed to be dark.
I haven't turned on the lights yet.
What are you afraid of?
There ain't no gh…
- Uncle! - Uncle, why is…
the computer starting up on its own?
Tong.
- Tong, you go. - Tong, you go.
- Go. Tong, you go. - Pao, you go too.
Tong, you go.
You've got an amulet.
- No, no. - You go.
- Dong, you have an amulet. - You lead the way.
Ghosts are afraid of amulets.
Go!
- Ghosts are afraid of amulets. - Go!
Go.
- Ghosts are afraid of amulets. - Go.
Uncle, where did you go?
Uncle.
PHOTOCOPIER
Ja-oh, what's wrong?
Ja-oh! Ja-oh!
Did you get it off?
- Well… - You won't get it off doing that.
- Rub it hard. - Sure.
Mai!
- Is it hard enough, Ja-oh? - Mai!
- Ja-oh, calm down.
- Pao! - Hey, Pao!
Take this! Where are you going, Pao?
Where are you going, Pao?
You really are something.
You colluded with Uncle Khai to double-cross us.
Am I good or what?
Here.
Here's my New Year's gift to you.
Wow!
I haven't got a card since the fourth grade.
Your gift is childish.
That's why it suits you perfectly.
Your gift is not as awesome as mine.
You got something for me?
Wow.
Give it to me.
Let me show you how it works.
HEY!
This is what you've always wanted to do, huh?
I can do whatever I want in a cartoon.
This is cute.
Thank you.
Well…
Happy New Year.
You too.
After the new millennium started,
Lin and I…
became closer.
We were not exactly close friends.
It was more like she owned me.
THE YEAR 2000
What?
This is my new shirt. How could you?
Have you finished your homework?
Tong!
Ouch.
What?
Do your work now.
I can do it later.
- No. - Tong.
You seem tight with Lin lately.
What's your point?
Can you help me
win her heart?
500 baht.
Whoa!
Some discount, please. What about half?
Love is not something you can negotiate.
It's not business.
It's about emotions.
Whatever.
500 baht.
No change.
Bank came by my house to give me a letter.
Why are you telling me this?
He wrote me a poem.
Let me read it to you.
Help me I've fallen in love with this girl
She's the prettiest, smartest Gal in the world
She is the best student in the class
She's also kind and nice with a big heart
I want to ask her out on a date
Have a picnic outdoors, that'd be great
I won't let mosquitoes bite her leg
Please, my dear, awesome girl, now I beg
He's such a poet.
But this is your handwriting, isn't it?
You're the only one who says "awesome" a lot.
If you have this much free time, read some books.
Read more.
You have the talent.
You could be a writer.
Writer? No, no, no. It's not cool.
No matter what,
if you set your mind to something,
it will be awesome.
Come on, let's study.
Why don't you go to a tutoring class like others?
Why are you here?
This is a good way to tutor.
And it's free.
Isn't it because you want to spend some one-on-one time with me?
Admit it.
I'm pretty cute, right?
Well,
I'm not keen on guys who are not as smart as me.
Let's make a bet.
On what?
In this upcoming final exam,
if you are the top scorer,
you can do whatever you want to me.
But if I am the top scorer,
you have to get a bob haircut.
Why a bob haircut?
I want to see you with short hair.
It's on.
I'm going to win…
anyway.
We shall see.
During the years 2000 and 2001,
- I was Lin's academic competitor. - What does this mean?
What's that?
One, two, go!
Come on.
I come prepared.
I got my dictionary. You're going down this time.
- Dong. - What's up?
Want any help?
- Faster. - Ouch!
Study.
Can I copy?
I cucumber you.
Tong!
Finished!
Damn you, Tong.
I hope you fail, bastard!
Toei, it's bad karma.
Closing the gate.
- What about Grandma? - Come in.
Toei.
Fuck you, you son of a bitch!
Okay, two sets, please.
Wait a moment.
You should be proud. Second place.
I know I lost. Don't rub it in.
What do you want me to do?
You don't need to do anything for me.
I already got what I wanted from you.
- What's that? - Lin.
Mr. Som-mai asked to see me.
Come with me, please.
Sure.
Ton-liu, I'll be back.
Lin!
Lin, what was it? Tell me.
Lin!
Do you want to make her swoon?
What'd you got, little one?
Are you familiar with something called J-rock?
Is that some kind of sweet?
J-rock, please.
Sure, pro bono.
It's "no problem!"
- Thank you for your correction. - Uncle, J-rock, please.
- Sure. - Make it good.
Don't you worry. Trust me.
Tong!
Now I don't owe you anything.
What's with the hair
and the clothes?
Aren't you into J-rock?
The little one said so.
Awesome!
Why are you laughing?
You got duped.
Little one, I spent hours bleaching my hair.
My scalp hurts.
And the jacket is too warm for this weather.
I did this for you.
Super awesome!
Hey!
Stop playing with my hair!
Tong, what evil spirit made you get this hairstyle?
Hey!
He was inspired by Sukuragi, maybe.
I look way cooler.
Aren't you afraid of Som-mai?
Why would I be?
The whole school should hear about my dyed hair.
As if! You've been hiding in the toilet since 5 a.m.
Pathetic.
Pao, let me test my aim.
What?
Tong!
Shit!
What kind of hairstyle is this?
Tong, stop!
You're…
the most disobedient student I've ever met.
Wipe that smile off your face.
Buy me new shoe polish, okay?
Got it?
- Since then… - Turn this way. This way.
- …all I wanted was to study. - No one else in this world…
- Because I knew… - …is more disobedient than you.
…it would make Lin happy.
You're still smiling!
Finally,
the last day of being a student arrived.
FAREWELL, M 6/3
Six years ago,
we were young kids
learning about academic subjects
and life lessons.
We've learned from our mistakes.
We've learned to dream.
Today,
those young kids
are about to leave this school
as adults
to follow their childhood dreams
and make them come true.
Until that day arrives,
I hope you
will always cherish these memories,
these moments,
these times
that we've shared at this school
in your hearts forever.
FROM PAO
Ready?
One, two, three, go!
Good luck, everyone.
I hope we will meet again.
Back then,
I never really understood why we were crying.
We were graduating.
No one died.
As I grew older,
I realized the meaning of those tears.
We did not cry
because we were afraid we wouldn't see one another again.
We cried
because we knew
we would never meet with such raw emotions again.
Whoo! Hey!
I'm so jealous of you.
You've had admirers from day one up until graduation.
There's no reason to feel jealous.
Yeah?
Who would you choose then?
Come on, my lips are sealed.
All right.
I knew it!
Ja-oh!
BOONYONG PHARMACY
Are you planning on studying hard like this forever?
I like studying.
Why don't you get a PhD?
That's my plan.
I want to be the best marine biologist in the country.
Wow.
Four years of bachelor's degree here.
Two years of master's degree study overseas.
At least four years of PhD.
Wow.
Ten years in total.
That's how long I won't see you.
But first, I have to get into the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University.
That's why I'm studying hard.
What about you, Tong? What do you want to study?
I want to study Communication Arts.
I want to make cool action films like Panna Rittikrai.
I used to watch his movies outdoors when I was young.
In that case, you need to study hard.
You won't get in if all you do is play.
Got it?
Kids, have some sweets.
Thank you.
Refreshing cold drinks.
Thanks, Dad.
Aren't you going to eat?
No, go ahead. I'm not hungry.
Have a bite.
You rarely eat these days.
You might get sick.
Have you heard this saying?
An army marches on its stomach.
The brain works when you eat.
This is not the time to eat.
It's the time to follow your dream.
Sis, let me help you with that.
My dream now is to eat.
Sure, Ton-liu.
Whoa! Whoa! Take it easy.
Slow down.
And the day of the entrance exam arrived.
For me, the entrance exam
was no different than doing Lin's exercises.
It might
even have been easier.
While we were waiting for the results,
we decided to take a trip to the beach.
Whoa! Take it easy!
- We won! - We won!
Dong, come on.
Get on his back.
Ja-oh.
I can't believe
we are about to graduate.
Guys, have you thought about
what you want to do when you grow up?
I want to be the best magician/engineer in the country.
- And I will ask Lin to marry me. - Oh, wow.
Wow. Who would want to marry Mai the Scratcher?
Harsh, Ja-oh.
As for me, I want to apply for a scholarship in the US.
Whoa!
I want to study overseas too.
Dong, are you serious?
How about learning all the letters of the English alphabet first?
Bank? Too harsh.
My dream
is to become a pro basketball player.
I want to play for the NBA.
Bank, your dream is even more ambitious than Dong's.
What about you, Ja-oh?
I want to be a simple housewife
with a rich husband.
That's it.
I can spend time on my drawings.
Easy.
I want to be a marine biologist.
I love the sea.
I want to make sure that sea animals live long lives.
Wow.
Tong, what do you want to do when you grow up?
I want to be an awesome person.
Why do you want to be an awesome person?
Because an awesome person…
makes the world a more pleasant place to live.
Our goal…
was to make this trip
the highlight of our time together as students
before we went our separate ways
to pursue our own interests.
CLOSED FOR ONE DAY TO CHECK OUT ENTRANCE EXAM RESULTS
UNIVERSITY ADMISSION SYSTEM MR. NONTAWAT KIATPEERA
ACCEPTED: FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION ARTS MOTION PICTURES AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY
I got in?
Here.
"Mr. Nontawat Kiatpeera."
Yay, he got in!
He got in!
- He got in! - Tong, you got in!
Tong got in!
He's going to study in Bangkok. Toei!
It's incredible how I got into the Faculty of Communication Arts.
I planned to make a cool action film like the ones by Panna Rittikrai.
BORN TO FIGHT
He's my hero.
I've been working very hard.
All I did was study, study, and study.
Why didn't I get into the university I wanted?
I've put in a lot of effort over the past 12 years.
Lin, I have something to tell you.
- I… - Tong.
Don't make your love confession now.
- What's going on out there? - No idea.
Guys.
Lin, you said you wanted to protect us sea animals.
I think your idea is great.
Don't be sad, Lin.
Yes. Keep on protecting the sea that you love
and protecting the sea animals.
It doesn't matter where you are.
You can do it from anywhere.
We measure our value on ourselves, not where we study.
Whoa!
Dong has just said something that makes sense for the first time.
For your effort of protecting sea animals like us,
we want to give this song to you.
Guys.
Ready.
Go.
Whatever is broken, big or small We can fix it
We'll fix it
VDOs and CDs or even bad moods We can fix it
We'll fix it
Although Lin didn't get to go to the Faculty of Fisheries as she'd hoped,
she got accepted into the Natural Resources Faculty in Songkhla.
I believed she'd be happy to live near the sea that she adored.
That year
was the first year that each of us…
- went our separate ways. - Two tickets to Chiang Mai, please.
Pao got into the Faculty of Business Administration
in Chiang Mai,
one step closer to his dream of studying overseas.
Ja-oh was accepted into the Faculty of Fine Arts.
Let's go.
She would be drawing all day as she'd wished.
Bank got into the Faculty of Political Science,
in which he had no interest.
LIN
But he did not seem to mind.
Mai the Scratcher made it to the Faculty of Engineering.
It seemed his dream of becoming an engineer would come true.
SAWANKHALOK
I painted this especially for you.
It's a limited edition.
Thanks.
Oh, I almost forgot about Dong.
Let's retake the entrance exam, guys.
Dong was the only one who did not get accepted to any place.
He decided to try again the following year.
Dong!
Yes, sir.
What are you doing?
I'm inviting everyone to retake the entrance exam.
"En-tance"?
Sir, where are my friends?
They're off to college.
All of them?
They are all gone.
BANGKOK, 2002
I had to start from zero in Bangkok.
Hey, I'm Nikki.
- Everything looked new and strange. - I'm Tong.
Tong? Unique name.
Especially studying without Lin by my side.
- Where are you from? - Chiang Mai.
I'm from Sukhothai.
What? Sukhothai?
That's Pod.
He's from Pang-na.
- It's Pang-nga. - Oh.
- What's Pang-na? - Sorry.
- My daily routine in college… - Hello, I'm Tong.
…was nothing more than going to class
and…
talking to Lin.
Lin, it's 8:00 p.m. Have you finished your reading?
Almost.
Don't you do anything else?
Isn't it boring to just study?
It's not.
What about you, Tong?
Why aren't you doing some reading?
I don't have enough free time to read.
I miss you every hour of the day.
I have no time to study.
That's an overstatement.
Don't laugh. It's the truth.
Do you miss me at all when we're so far apart?
No.
That's mean.
Go and study. Call me again tomorrow.
Okay.
Good night.
Good night, Tong.
This is for you, Lin.
Thanks.
BE MY LOY KRATHONG DATE
SONGKHLA, 2002
Lin, have you been here long?
Not long.
You kept this hairstyle.
Yeah.
It grew on me.
I like too.
Well, I mean,
I like how this hairstyle suits you.
Don't peek.
What are you writing?
I won't tell you.
This is not something you tell others.
Done.
Aren't you going to tell me what you wrote?
No.
All right, let's float the krathong.
Go
and get it back.
What?
"What" what? Go and get it back.
Are you serious?
Of course.
You don't want it to be trash in the sea.
Go on.
Quick, Tong.
- Seriously? - Yes.
Go!
Tong, are you asleep?
No.
Do you want to come and lie on the bed with me?
Huh?
I'm not as easy as you think I am.
I just want you to lie comfortably on the bed.
Where did your mind go to?
You shocked me with that line.
I trust you,
so I'll let you lie next to me.
Are you coming?
Don't fall out of bed.
Sweet dreams, Tong.
Sweet dreams.
Why are you still awake?
I'm not that tired.
Tong, what's the matter?
I…
I don't want a shortcut.
What shortcut?
I think we should…
start by holding your hand.
Aren't you going to hold it?
I think I should…
ask you to be my girlfriend before I can touch you.
You sound like a child.
Not a child.
I'm just being a gentleman.
I'm the best gentleman on earth.
What are you laughing at? I'm going to sleep.
All right, let's go to sleep.
Good night.
I had always thought
I was confident
and brave.
But right then,
I knew I was the biggest coward
in front of the girl I liked.
Once you go back, study hard.
Don't just play.
What do you take me for?
You.
Without my nagging and pestering,
you wouldn't focus, would you?
It'd be nice if I could have you near nagging me like before.
You're such a child.
You patted me like a dog.
You noticed!
Would you prefer a hug
instead of a pat?
No.
Why?
No.
What?
Tong?
I'm off.
Shame on anyone who studies film
but never watches Fight Club.
Brad Pitt is so cool.
Right?
Yeah.
- Hey! - What?
Shall we start our Fight Club?
We'll ask the guys in the dorm
to join underground fights.
Like in the film.
Who would be your first fighters?
You and me?
Of course.
You chose the right guy for the job.
Lin, aren't you coming to Bangkok next week?
Why don't you come and watch me? It will be fun.
Why would you do something like that?
Your time is better spent studying.
All work and no play is boring.
I need to blow off some steam.
By fighting another person?
Yeah.
It's a guy thing.
Guys don't play house.
Tong, sometimes I just don't understand you.
Well, love doesn't need to be understood.
You just need to feel it.
Isn't that clever?
Lin?
What's the first rule of Fight Club?
Don't talk about Fight Club.
Are you ready?
Go!
Get up.
Come on, man.
Go! Go!
Don't give up.
Go! Go!
Tong!
Tong! Please stop.
Enough, Tong!
Tong!
And my stupidity…
ruined everything.
We would've gotten two more fights if it hadn't rained.
You're damn right.
Whoa! Tong.
Is this your girl?
- Piss off, man. Go without me. - She's cute.
She's beautiful.
Go!
Have you been here long?
I didn't see you after my fight.
Enjoyed yourself much?
Of course.
Did you see when I got knocked down?
I took that punch and bam! I passed out.
It was awesome.
Why would you do something as crazy
as fighting other people?
What's with you?
Answer me!
The first rule of Fight Club is you do not talk about Fight Club.
What are you babbling about?
Fight Club.
Haven't you seen it?
The movie is so awesome.
Tong,
why don't you just grow up?
You're calling me a child again.
You're so immature.
Why?
It's no big deal. Why would you make it so?
So, you will do it again.
Yes.
They all liked it.
They are all childish.
There it is again.
You keep saying "childish" and "immature."
That's what you are.
Why? It's just something I wanted to do.
I wanted to have fun. Was that so wrong?
Would you stop being so childish?
- Grow up. - Yeah.
I'm childish. I'm immature.
Because I'm a child, I was stupid enough to chase after you.
Are you saying you were stupid to like me?
You idiot!
Yes, I'm an idiot!
You stupid idiot!
I was stupid to fall for you!
You never understand anything about me!
I never understand shit!
Idiot!
The cruelest thing about adulthood
is the fact that
despite being the same age,
women…
are more mature than men.
I started to believe
that no guy
could date a girl his own age
and make it last.
Was Lin that angry at you?
You two are not together?
A fight?
About what?
What the hell is Fight Club?
Are you sure you're not going to get her back?
So, I have a shot with her now?
When Shithead Bank found out,
he got on his motorbike right away.
He rode all the way from Bangkok to Songkhla,
determined to show his dedication
before confessing his love.
Little did he know that Pao had also got on the train to see Lin.
It might have been fate
that brought Pao's train from Chiang Mai to Songkhla
faster.
I know
that Tong is the guy for you.
You said
you were not into immature guys.
But…
no matter how immature he is,
you like him anyway.
I tried.
I tried to be like Tong.
But I couldn't do it.
Why are you
telling me this now?
If don't do anything now,
you two will get back together.
Lin, please give me a chance.
When Bank saw Pao holding Lin's hand,
he couldn't take it.
He rode his bike back to Bangkok right away
even though he'd been awake for the past 13 hours.
In total,
he rode for 26 hours straight.
Even now,
I still don't get
why he would do that.
Why? Lin…
Lin!
At Dong's invitation, I decided to come back home…
- Tong. - …to lick my wounds.
But…
there was another person in worse shape than me.
Why are you following me?
I rode my bike
from Bangkok to Songkhla
and rode from Songkhla back to Bangkok.
Don't I get any sympathy?
No
because you're stupid.
I may be stupid,
but it's all because I love her.
Tong, I will go to Songkhla.
Tong.
Go. Go there.
Aren't you going to stop me?
Why would I? Go if you want to.
Welcome, friends.
WELCOME, ALL BROKEN HEARTS
All right.
HERBAL LIQUOR
This is to Pao,
for taking our love away.
Let's drink to their stupidity.
Cheers!
These kids have grown up.
They've felt heartbreak
and unrequited love.
Let me tell you,
pain
makes you grow.
It makes you stronger.
Yes.
Do you think
Lin and Pao will make it?
UNCLE KHAI'S GAME SHOP
I don't know.
On the one hand, I don't want him to be happy.
On the other hand,
I can't stand to see Lin sad.
Do you think
Lin really likes Pao?
No way.
In that case,
why would Lin date Pao?
Pao is mature.
Lin doesn't like childish guys like us.
Is that all it takes to be in a relationship?
It's not about how you like a person or how you feel about a person?
It's just about being mature?
I've read something in a book.
They say…
love is complicated.
That's why adults warn us
not to fall in love while being students,
and to wait
until graduation.
But other people do it.
They may be mature enough to get it.
Here you go.
Pao had been with Lin for three months when Lin…
broke up with him.
When I think about it,
that could have been my second chance.
But I did not reach out to Lin at all for two years until… that day.
BANGKOK, 26 DECEMBER 2004
Shit, what the hell?
They said it was a tsunami.
How high were the waves?
I watched the news this morning.
They were as high as a four-story building.
Are you insane? Four-story building?
They were as high as this dorm!
A great earthquake occurred today…
How did this happen?
What are you watching?
Giant waves. They're reporting it on the news. Come and listen.
…with a magnitude of 8,
resulting in a series of large waves hitting the coasts,
taking hundreds of lives and injuring over 800 people.
The number of reported deaths and injuries continues to rise,
especially in the provinces on the Andaman Coast
and nearby islands,
including Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi, Ranong,
Trang, and Satun.
Shit.
My hometown.
- Mine too. - Call your family.
- It's your hometown too. - What's the number? Let me help.
- Shit, I can't reach them. - Let me help.
- It is not possible to reach the number… - 01 192 8262.
- Shit, I can't reach them either. - Sorry.
- Let's try again. - It is not possible to reach…
the number you've dialed at the moment.
- Can you reach them? - No, I can't reach them.
- I can't reach them either. - How's the situation, guys?
Shit, what do I do?
I pray that you're okay, Lin.
Lin, how are you doing?
I know you're interning in Ranong.
I just saw the news.
How is Ranong, Lin?
Are you in Ranong? Are you okay?
I am fine. I am safe, Tong.
I just talked to my parents.
You don't need to worry about me.
I'm fine.
Where are you…
now?
I'm at an evacuation shelter.
I was running some errands in the city during the tsunami.
EVACUATION SHELTER
It is hectic here, and full of injured people.
- People are looking for family members. - I don't know. I haven't seen her.
Lin, do you know?
I was so scared
when I heard the news.
When I couldn't reach you,
it scared me even more.
I was afraid something might happen to you.
Thank you, Tong.
It's great to hear that you're all right.
That makes me feel so much better.
All right, I will go now.
Hold on.
You miss me, don't you?
You know that saying
about how you will see the face of someone you love
at the most critical moment?
Well,
I'm afraid I can't remember your face.
It's been two years since I last saw you.
How could you forget my handsome face?
How have you been these past two years?
Have you been paying attention in class?
Wow.
It's been two years
and you're asking me about school?
You don't like to study.
I'm just worried.
I've been much more attentive in class,
thanks…
to you.
I'm a better student because of you.
That's sweet.
So…
are you seeing anyone?
I'm not going to tell you.
But I dated Pao for a while.
I know.
So…
why did you break up?
I just felt
that Pao wasn't that into me.
That's not true.
Pao…
was crazy about you.
He liked you from head to toe.
Ever since the love that you gave me,
it's been hard
to find someone who can love me like that again.
Wow. That's crazy talk.
I don't buy it.
Well, I meant it.
Lin, can I ask you a question?
If I asked you for another chance,
would it be too late?
You know,
someone told me
that the best time of being in love
is right before you agree to be with someone.
Because when you are,
you won't feel the same way
you did before.
I just want to cherish how good it felt
between you and me.
Whoa.
That sucks for me.
Because of this,
you are my best memory.
Lin…
Do you believe in a parallel universe?
Who knows?
In another universe,
we might be together.
I'm jealous of them.
SUKHOTHAI, 2007
After graduation,
I began my adult life.
I had a taste…
of unemployment.
But I continued to live,
not in a hurry,
as if I were still in school.
Tong, let's go eat some fried mussels.
What are you doing?
Acting like a jobless person.
Pick that up for me, please.
You are just like your mother.
Like who?
What are you doing?
Like who?
Hey!
Like who?
Like me.
Tao, go mop the floor.
Well, you could've hit me on the head. The nose hurts more.
As you wish.
Go mop the floor!
As your husband, I'm going to ask you one question.
What?
Where is the mop?
Here you go.
Don't get too cocky.
Dad, what about fried mussels?
No more.
Take it.
Lin wanted to give this to you.
NONTAWAT KIATPEERA
Suddenly,
Lin woke me up with a pen.
This time,
she poked me hard.
THE WEDDING CEREMONY OF PIMNARA AND PETARUN ON 25 FEBRUARY 2007
- Hello. - Hello.
Tong!
- How are you? Have you eaten? - Tong.
Cheers!
Guys, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
The groom's name sounds ancient.
Like Mai's dad Saksit.
He's like 50 years old.
Jerk!
Who is the groom, and how did he sneak Lin away from us?
Ja-oh, do you know?
He's a senior she met during her internship in Ranong.
He got sick often and was quite frail,
so Lin took care of him.
They got together
and have been dating for four years.
What? I thought Lin was going to study overseas.
Lin mentioned that to me as well.
But she suddenly broke the news of her wedding.
He probably wanted to be married before Lin left for her studies.
She needs six years to finish her PhD.
Hey.
We must take revenge on the groom.
How?
We will play rock paper scissors.
The loser must jump-kick the groom.
You're so childish,
but I'm in.
Guys, this is Lin's wedding.
Be happy for your friend
instead of plotting against the groom.
Ja-oh, you don't get it.
Guys get upset
when they see someone they love getting married to someone else.
- Yes. - Yes.
Yes, yes, yes.
Come on.
One, two…
- Whoa. - Hey!
Wow.
Actually, I was wrong.
When you truly love someone,
you'll be happy for them no matter what.
You hope they find happiness with a special someone
and you long to see them smile with joy.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
For you, Ja-oh.
- Have a safe journey home. - Have a safe journey home.
Right.
Let's go.
Hello, Mr. Groom.
Hello.
We need to talk to you about something.
What's the matter?
Well, we did put a lot of money in the envelopes.
- Lots and lots. - Plenty.
- Yes. - Any chance…
we can kiss Lin?
It's fine with me if Lin's okay with it.
Sure.
Wait, wait.
Take it easy.
You can kiss Lin,
but…
you have to kiss me first.
Kiss me if you dare.
Whoa, this is outrageous.
Who would do that?
I guess none of you will get any kisses.
I'm sorry.
Hey, hey, Tong!
At that time,
I thought of it as an exercise.
An exercise
that made me feel like I was 16.
TONG'S EXERCISE BOOK
Exercise for the heart?
Almost every answer you give is incorrect.
What?
Here's my New Year's gift to you.
Lin is my first love,
a beautiful memory.
I will always remember
her smile.
MATH EQUATION
I painted this especially for you.
It's a limited edition.
Thanks.
Who would you choose then?
I'd be very happy
if Tong confessed his love for me.
What are you writing?
I won't tell you.
MAY WE BE EACH OTHER'S FIRST LOVE
This is not something you tell others.
- You idiot! - Yes, I'm an idiot!
You stupid idiot!
I was stupid to fall for you!
You never understand anything about me!
I never understand shit!
Lin,
do you believe in a parallel universe?
If there were a parallel universe,
I could be standing there
as the groom today.
My first love
is like a question in Lin's exercise book
that I need to solve.
You stupid idiot!
The question that makes me want to go back in time to see her…
and apologize to her.
DO YOUR EXERCISES, TONG. -LIN
I'm so sorry, Lin.
I'm such an idiot.
I'm so immature.
I'm sorry.
I have to get in on this.
Mai!
Pao!
I'm sorry.
I just can't seem to grow up.
That's all right.
Lin…
I don't want to be awesome anymore.
I want to be a writer.
Someday, I will write about us for you to read.
I promise you.
Of course. I will be waiting.
Congratulations, Lin.
You will always be my awesome first love.
Thank you, Tong.