Thomas bought a house with his inheritance
They had known each other for four years. He was fit and fifty eight years old when he met her during his first visit to Pattaya. Even though his inheritance from his father had been divided between himself and his two younger family members, the machinist still had a comfortable amount in his account in Sweden. With his pension he was quite well off.
He fell head first for Nung the first evening he met her.
The three weeks in Pattaya changed his life totally. Nung was 31 years of age. Her body was perfect, and the long coal black hair and the dark smiling eyes charmed him completely. Not to mention the activities they shared in their hotel room.
She was affectionate, willing and helpful. Thomas had dreamt of a woman like this his whole life. A dreamy vision so different from prudish Swedish women as only heaven and hell can be.
He let it pass when Nung told him about her two small children with her ex Thai boyfriend who drank a lot and beat her. Her mother was taking care of her children and Nung sent her mother what she could afford so that her daughter would have enough for food and clothes.
- I hate Thai men. I am so happy that I met you. I love you, she said resting her hand on Thomas thigh.
The next week she invited him to visit her village near Buri Ram. Her poor family living in the little timber house was very hospitable. When her daughter came home with her Swedish boyfriend her mother´s bedroom was at their disposal. Both nights they were served with traditional delicious food that Thomas hadn’t even thought existed. All the surrounding neighbors came by to look at and greet the farang. Nung ordered beer in huge quantities all the time. Thomas paid all expenses; anything else would be disgraceful in a situation like this. Also the heavy gold chain and the gold ring he had bought for Nung in Pattaya received praise. - Thomas, you are a good and big man, they said in unison.
On the journey home they decided they were really in love and the future was planned. Nung was to resign from the bar. Thomas decided to send her 25.000 baht per month while he was in Sweden. She told him that she knew about a job as a maid servant with a rich family. The salary was lousy but with the additional money from Sweden things would be good and she could send some of it to her family in Buri Ram. They were very happy. In six months Thomas would be back. Before he left he bought her a mobile phone and lots of clothes. They would keep in contact on a daily basis.
Three times a year Thomas visited his beloved one. He decided to take up residence in Pattaya with wife and children when as a 62-year old he would be retired.
Nung had to have a motorcycle to keep her job because she made purchases for the family she was working for. It wasn’t too expensive so Thomas paid up happily and thought about all their delightful moments together.
A couple of times her daughters became sick and the hospital expenses where high but he happily paid everything his beloved Nung asked for. Only once he doubted. She called and told him that his older sister was very ill and needed surgery. Nung cried on the phone and told him how much she loved him and how she missed him. She was in need of 300.000 baht. Thomas paid.
As he reached retirement Thomas moved out of the apartment he rented in Sweden. He then sold his earthly goods and traveled to Thailand dreaming of their wedding just around the corner.
The whole village was gathered. The party was huge and so was the bill. The dowry was 150.000 baht.
The house was in a newly-built area in Jomtien. Fully furnished with a total cost of 3 million baht.
He also leased a car for himself and his family which now included two teenage daughters.
His savings and inheritance was all but used up but he had his little pension. They would manage ok. Nung had responsibility for the children and didn’t work anymore.
Nung invited her family to the big party in the new house. In particular her brothers joined the party that went on for three days. It was a big family with many children. They slept on the floor around the house, and Nung took care and cooked for them all. Her mother and sister helped her.
After a week in the little overcrowded house Thomas asked if they could go home soon. Since her brothers often used his car, he often couldn’t go anywhere. He had moved out into the garage sleeping on a mattress. At least there he got a good nights sleep. The bedroom was overcrowded because Nung slept there with her sister and one of her brothers.
After three weeks he pounded the table. – This is enough! Nung had in this time become more remote and distant from him. She was concerned mostly for her family and the food budget became formidable. – If you cannot afford the food, I can always borrow on the house. It is in my name and I own it! she exploded!.
Thomas was tired of the family life and slept in a cheap hotel nearby waiting for the country people to disappear. One afternoon while sitting in the little garden in front of the house, he discovered that one of Nungs brothers was dressed up in a suit he had purchased in Sweden. – He is wearing my suit, he screamed at Nung. It had almost been a month since the house warming party. Thomas lost it. He stood up and took a firm grip on the brother´s coat and threw him onto the ground. The family lost face.
- Nung is my wife! The house and the car are hers. You are just a farang shit! threatened her “brother” while the whole family and a couple of Thai neighbors stood around Thomas looking angry. The battle was lost. The marriage was not approved. Thai laws are made for Thais.
Thomas died six months later. He lived his last months in a small pub where he extinguished his grief in cheap Thai rice whisky. What he died of is unknown but most people say he drank himself to death.
(This is one of many true stories. Names and places have been changed)