@Rosi and @all friends
Chapter IV Raw file
The wind blowing reduced the heat of the air. Nang Gui told Poodtaan that this was Chao Praya River. It certainly was the same world but different time. Now she saw another thing that was different from her time. The big high wall was long until almost out of sight.
Poodtaan was stunned. In her time there were so many houses that no one was able to know that there would be a long big wall was there.
The boat was sailing through the gate that was made of the whole ton of wood and there was a big rope holding the gate. At the high fort Poodtaan saw a part of soldier’s head wearing a red hat with strange shape as seen in the Ploughing Ceremony and some walked around inspecting.
In the middle of the river there was a group of houseboats not far from the entrance of the city. Poodtaan looked around until the boat was inside the town.
“Pratoo Klong Jean (Chinese Canal Gate)” Nang Gui told her when the boat entering the city in the Chinese canal.
“We are going to Ta Lad Pa Chom Pu to buy Pa nung and Pa Chom Pu to make Sabai, going to Pa Taan to buy some vegetables seeds and Pa Pa Kiiew to buy 2 Sueer Chiik Oak, then going back home.”
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Pratoo Klong Jean (Pratoo = door/gate, Klong = canal, Jean =China/Chinese)
***** Klong Jean or Chinese Canal was a canal in the Ayutthaya Island, located in the north-south direction. In the north this canal met the Loburi River called Klong Kao Pleauk (Rice Paddy Canal). In the south it met The Chao Praya River called Klong Jean (Chinese Canal).
***** Due to the location of Ayutthaya city has 3 rivers surrounded, sometimes it is called Ayutthaya Island.
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Ta Lad = market
Pa + Chom Pu = forest + pink
Pa + Chom Pu = cloth + pink
Pa + Mai = forest + tree/wood
Pa Pa Kiiew = forest + cloth + green
Pa = forest and Pa = cloth were spelt the same in English but in Thai they are different both consonant and tone.
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“Pai Nai Pai Gun Jao Ka (=Wherever you go I will go with you= ไปไหนไปกัน). There are many markets here and you call them “Pa”. Is it like
Pa Mai? There are many trees being together so we call it “Pa Mai (ป่าไม้)”.
Pa Pa Kiiew would have a lot of green cloth. Is it right?
Nang Gui listened to her words but sighed and she said.
“It’s similar but not all. Pa Kiiew doesn’t mean it has only green cloth but it has other colors also. And Pa Chom Pu doesn’t mean the cloth that is pink but it is the name of a type of cloth. There is a market here selling dried food called Ta Lad Pa Saan. There are many places for shopping both inside and outside the city. If you stay here longer I will let Nang Ung and Nai Perm to take you to look around and I will give you Nang Ung and Ai Perm to help you until you can start your new life here. Uh. Do you have to go back? Or are you staying here for life? After you are dead then you go back to heaven.
Nang Gui’s question made Poodtaan afraid.
“I have to find and take the Khoi book back before.” Poodtaan said.
“Would you have to bother Muen Rit? It’s rather difficult. Although this family are nice and not pompous but no one could force or threat them to do things. Muen Rit is a royal page. If there is not any problem Khun Luang would have him Ja Muen soon. Formerly Khun Luang’s father (Khun Luang Suer) and Khun Luang (Jao Fa Phet) had always come together to Praya Wisootsakorn’s house. So you should not get involved because it could make you be in trouble.
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Khun Luang Suer = Luang Sorasak in BPS acted by Got
After Khun Luang Narai passed away PraPet Racha (In BPS acted by Big) became Khun Luang for 15 years. Afterwards Luang Sorasak became Khun Luang Suer for 5 years and now Jao Fa Phet (Son of Khun Luang Suer) was the new Khun Luang.
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Poodtaan was quiet. She was confused and unable to understand all what Nang Gui said but she could accept it. It was strange for her that she didn’t feel she was new to the place. It was easy for her to accept unfamiliar words and new surroundings that she met. It could be said that it was even too easy. It was like some things here she used to see and hear before.
“Why aren’t I freaked out? Why do I feel familiar with this place? Is my brain going wrong? She murmured while looking around as if she could remember but was not certain at the same time.
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Muen Maharit and Nai Jerm traversed the garden passed the servants’ kitchen. Many servants were working so they didn’t pay any attention to those who passed by until both of them near the big house.
“P’ Jerm if the book in the chest was Mon Grit Sa Na Ga Li why was it buried? And why is there the light shining from it?
“About this I’m not certain but this spell is powerful to Khun Ying Garagade.”
“Powerful to Khun Mae? What power?
“Before Taan Muen (You) were born, Khun Ying Garagade used to be unconscious for days because of touching this book.”
Nai Jerm said and sighed. He was afraid of this chest very much but he didn’t dare to advise against his young boss not taking the chest back home.
“Was there a story like this? So what should I do then? I wonder I would make a mistake digging it up.”
“It would be good if we go to tell Praya Taan (him = Date). If it is not good, we go back to bury it again. That time before Khun Ying Garagade revived Praya Horatipbodi Taan, your grandpa and Praya Wisootsakorn Taan had to pray calling her soul until they could not eat and sleep. And that time they were afraid of her not coming back.
Muen Maharit was wondering and worrying but his curiosity was more so he decided to go around behind the house and kept the chest under his bed
“P’ Jerm, don’t tell Khun Por (Date). Let me think for a while what to do and you help me find a key to lock my room as well. Khun Mae (Garagade) sometimes likes to help servants tidying my room and doing my bed. So she might meet the chest. Perhaps I would give P’ Rueng to take it away with him to Mueng Song Kwae far away from Khun Mae. I would like to keep it for our descendants. They won’t have to learn it by heart like P’ Ruend and me. It’s so difficult to remember.
“Khor Raab Taan Muen.” Nai Jerm accepted.
“I think about that girl. It seems she needs that book too. What is she related to the spell? She looked like Khun Mae very much. Is she our relative? Muen Maharit asked.
“She might be a ghost. We should try to ask P’ Pin and P’ Yam. Nai Jerm told him his thought.
“Ghost? She would not, her body is warm. I will ask P’ Pin and P’ Yam later then. Now let’s go out, maybe my brother and sisters have arrived.
Muen Maharit walked to
Nork Chaan (part/floor of an old style Thai house that not covered by a roof.)
His confusing thoughts temporarily stopped when he saw the group of people at the
Sala Glang Ruen (Thai style pavilion in the middle of the group of the houses.)
Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta looked up at his younger brother. The corners of his mouth lifted a little until Muen Maharit nearly didn't see his teeth. His face still was full of solemnity never changing. They looked so similar until it was hard to find the differences but their personalities were completely different. Muen Maharit smiled at his brother until he saw white teeth. Such a wide smile of him wss available only for his family. His mother used to tell him she felt cheerful when seeing his smile.
All of Gade Surang’s Children received genetic allergy. No one could eat betel nut. When eating they would be dizzy. Especially her two daughters they would vomit and their mouths would swell. And it took them several days to get better.
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“Your mother smiled until the cheeks were almost torn when sons come at the same time. A little more will reach the ear". Praya Wisootsakorn said and laughed while drinking a tea comfortably.
When are you coming back to work in Ayutthaya? Will you be there until you are old? Or that there is a wife hidden over there." She was teasing the eldest son.
“No, I don’t have yet. I might be Nuam Tuer” Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta said.
Nang Pin, Nang Yam and the servants sitting there bowing their heads down laughing until their shoulders are tremble. This word would be strange for other people who heard it but for this family it was normal.
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Gade Surang’s children got many new words from their mother like this one.
Tuer = เทื้อ
= old maid, unmarried, single
Mostly this word is used with woman like Sao Tuer (Sao means woman) but
Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta used this word with himself.
Nuam Tuer. Nuam means man.
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“If there is no one having a piece of Khun Mae's habit, I won't get married." The eldest son said with a steady voice.
“This matter, I agree with P’ Rueng Khor Rub.” The second son nodded and he thought of the girl he met today.
“If that so, it would be hard. A woman like my wife you cannot find easily.” Praya Wisootsakorn pretended to be serious and straightened himself proudly. Anyone who heard had to smile. He was not near Gadesurang but he took a look at her with love. That made Garagade glanced sideways to him.
“Until now you still boast even with our children but it is true and cannot disputable. So why don’t Mae Gaew and Mae Prang arrive yet? P’ pin, P’ Yam go to see them at the pier.
Gadesurang was not shy saying that and turned to tell Nang Pin and Nang Yam to go to wait for her daughters at the pier and told other servants who sitting around watching her sons to bring food.
“Go to get dessert and snacks first. When seeing the two of them at the pier, bring the tray of the food up.”
“Are you hungry, Khun Mae? Gadesurang asked Khun Ying Jumpa and she nodded. So she told her eldest son tohave a shower. Muen Maharit followed his brother. He always asked his younger brother about what going on in Mueng Song Kwae with curiosity according to his habits.
After managing various things in the house Ketsarangk turned to her husband.
“Would we find time to go to Mueng Song Kwae? We would go to see how
Por Rueng Lek live."
Praya Wisootsakorn shook his head because he knew what she needed.
“You want to go on a trip, that is what you want to say, right?
“Well I want a little bit Jao Ka but what I want more is to see how our son lives. Ork Ya Pra Ramnarong and his family have moved to live there. They could find a place for our family to stay and relax” Gadesurang meant Por Rueng Yai, old friend of the family
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Por Rueng Lek = Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta, Gadesurang’s the oldest son
Por Rueng Yai = Muen Rueng, Janwaad’s husband = Ork Praya Ramnarong
Lek =
เล็ก = small, younger
Yai =
ใหญ่ = big, older
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“If we go we could stay there for not longer than 20 days. And would you like Mae Gaew and Mae Prang to go with us? It’s difficult now because Mae Gaew is getting married with Ja Muen Sri Sorarak. It is not appropriate.”
“No offense to you Na Ka Jao Khun P. I would like our daughters to ask for a permission from Joa Nai Taan (her/royalty) to come back to live at home and Khun Mae (Khun Ying Jumpa) will have grandchildren to encompass. Mae Kaew herself weeps poorly every time when she has to leave Khun Ya (Ya = father's mother) for the palace and soon she is away getting married.”
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Jao Nai = royalty (royal-blooded person), head, master, boss, chief, employer
Parents often sent their daughter to stay with a royalty or a relative in in the palace to learn about traditions, manners, various knowledges such as, crafts, embroidery, flower making, garlands, food, etc.
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“Alright, I’ll think about how to tell Jao Nai Taan. But I have to ask Mae Kaew, Mae Prang if they would like to return home or not.” Date said.
“Why do you have to ask? Por Date indulge your children too much. You always let them think by themselves. You are parents you have to protect them. What you think it is appropriate, just tell them to do. That’s enough. If jao Nai Taan allows, take them back home. Actually for their age except for Mae Prang they all could get married.” Khun Ying Jumpa argued but not so seriously. She would like her descendants to be close to her too because she was getting old every day.
“And if you are going to Mueng Song Kwae, let Mae Gaew be here with me. Mae Gaew has to be prepared so that after getting married there can be no one to blame on her that Praya Wisootsakorn's daughter doesn’t know anything.”
Khun Ying Jumpa quickly told her needs because she knew that his son never offended his wife even once. Certainly that there would be a procession going to Mueng Song Kwae very soon. If it was not beyond his ability Praya Wisootsakor would indulge his wife until everyone knew it well.
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P’ Rueng, I have something to tell you and get your advice. Dark eyebrows of him frowned with signs of stress, anxiety when he told his brother.
“What is it about Por Rit? It was very rare that Por Rit his younger brother looked like this. After growing more than fifteen years Por Rit always had smooth attitude thinking quietly until he couldn't know what his younger brother thought in his mind. Except when there were strange things then his eyes would have expression of doubt, curiosity to find the truth of everything.
“Today I went to dig up the soil and found a chest with khoi book of Mon Grit sa na Ga Li inside. P' Jerm told that it would be the chest that Khun Por buried because Khun Mae used to touch it and was unconscious and she almost never revived. Now this book is in my bedroom”
“Is there a story like this?
“And I have met a girl. Her words and her appearance looks like Khun Mae.” When Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta heard this sentence his eyebrows went up.
“Have you found the woman you like?” He asked.
“No, I haven’t. She has something similar to Khun Mae but that is not a problem like that chest. I don’t want anything to happen with Khun Mae, so I would like P’ Rueng take this chest to Song Kwae as well. It will be far from Khun Mae. Do you think it’s good?”
“If so then, alright but we should tell Khun Por, shouldn’t we?" Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta asked.
“I think…If we tell Khun Por he certainly might bury it again. I don't want this spell to disappear from our family. If we have children. They can learn and carry on from this book without learning by heart like we did. That made it more complicated.” Muen Maharit said.
“You’re so….is it fun to have a secret with Khun Por?
His brother’s question made Muen Maharit smile from ear to ear. His brother was a person who knew his mind almost everything.
“Alright I will do it and will keep the chest well but you should tell Khun Por in case there is anything else that is not good you will be able to think of protection in advance.”
“I will find the right opportunity to tell Khun Por. It should be the time after you have brought the chest to Song Kwae already. It would be better Na P' Rueng. .” Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta nodded.
When he was satisfied with the chest problem. He let his brother take a shower as comfortably as he walked to change clothes before walking to Sala Glang Ruen that started to bustle because the two sisters had arrived. Both girls looked lovely. Mae Gaew was sweet looking and her skin was flawless. For Mae Prang she was charming. Formerly her skin was darker than her older sister but when growing up not playing and running outdoors so now her skin was flawless not different from Mae Gaew. Though Mae Prang looked more active than her older sister but her manner was tenderer than before as expected of training in the palace for years.
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“Khun P’ Rit, where is P’ Rueng La Jao Ka? Mae Ying Prang asked.
“P’ Rueng is taking a shower, is coming soon to have food together." The smell of the food cooked by Gade Surang was like an appetizer of the whole people in the whole house.
When Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta came out of the bedroom, he sat down and had food together. That moment as if it was life had been fulfilled when everyone in the whole family were together.
“Khun Mae’s Tom Yum is Aroi LertTae? Mae Ying Prang said. (Aroi = good/delicious, Lert = splendid, Tae = real)
"Mae Prang, you say strange word again.” Khun Ying Jumpa reiterated as she always did.
Mae Ying Gaew bowed down and smiled to the rice dish. When looked up towards Gade Surang she saw her winking at the eyes. Mae Ying Gaew had to hold her smile until her face turned red.
“This time, how many days will you stay at home?
“About four or five days Khor Rab. Now there are many people moving with their family from the north to live in Song Kwae. News said briefly that there are more and more traders. Besides Khun Luang had ordered to add Faang wood export to Batavia (= Jakarta, Indonesia). There may be more villagers who collect forestry products coming to sell too. Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta answered.
“Well, how about Praya Pissanulaok and Org Pra Ramnarong?
““Khun Aa is keeping well Khor Rab and Praya Pissanulaok ’s daughter, Mae Ying Riam just had the topknot cut only one year. This time I would like to buy her a jewelry. I need Mae Kaew Mae Prang'’s help choose and buy it.”
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Khun Aa = Muen Rueng Yai (Janwaad’s husband)
He was his father’s close friend so Date’s children called him “Aa = อา = father’s younger brother.”
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“How nice. I'll do what I can help
Sood Sood Pai Lei Jao Ka. Is it good if we go today? It is just what I wanted. I would like to go to Ta lad Chee Goun. I have heard there is more Pa Mughal (Mughal fabric) that Holanda (Holland/or Wilanda called in the Ayutthaya era) exports from Mueng Khaek (India). There is chintz both hand – written and printed fabric. I would get a beautiful cloth to show off P’ at the palace.” Mae Ying Prang quickly volunteered
Na Baan Penjaan Chaerng when had an opportunity to go outside. Gadesurang looked her husband in the eyes and simpered feeling guilty that her daughter's words had gotten from her.
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Sood Sood = extremely
Na Baan Pen Jaan Chaerng = หน้าบานเป็นจานเชิง
Na = Face = หน้า
Baan = Bloom, Spread out, Delighted = บาน, ขยาย (ด้วยความดีใจ)
Pen = Be = เป็น
Jaan = Plate = จาน
Chaerng = Edge = ขอบ, เชิง
***Jaan Chaerng = Plate with a foot, Flat-shaped like a dish raised the edge (The edge makes the plate wider)
*** Na Baan Pen Jaan Chaerng = Face to spread out delightedly looks like Jaan Chaerng
In general this slang is used to make it funny but sometimes it used for irony like :
Whenever I tell you to go back to work you looks drowsy but when I allow you to go outside. Your face Baan Pen Jaan Chaerng.
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“It would be good if we go also to the house on the Khun Phrom Temple outside the city. It's told that the villagers there brought fine white cloth from abroad to write designs on the fabric (called Pa Lai Nam Jeurd), Ngam Tab Din Tai (Tt is so beautiful that almost wriggled to death)
“Mother and children are the same. All say strange words. If other people heard, how they would look at us, Hm Mae Gaew.” Khun Ying Jumpa warned them. Her granddaughter bowed her face down and that made her Khun Ya’s heart melt.
“My knees and ligament ache so much at the moment. There is no one to stretch it for me. Khun Ying Jumpa changed the topic.
“Khun Ya Jao Ka, if the food is digested already then let me give you a massage Na Jao Ka. Khun Mae told me that Khun Ya complained no one could massage tendons so good as granddaughter did."
“Good…….I’m full now. After eating it is ok if you would like to go outside with them and then come to see me in front of the bedroom after you back Na Mae Gaew."
“Jao Ka” Mae Gaew said. Her brother and sister raised their thumbs up to Mae Kaew at the same time.
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After having food already Mae Prang walked down to look for her chicken. The rest could do only eye contact.
“What’s happened to Ai Som Ru Jao Ka?” Mae Ying Gaew was the first one to ask when saw Muen Maharit and the parents looked each other’s eyes. He looked awkward.
“It has died in the late morning but I have brought a new one. " Muen Maharit answered.
“What is its number?” Muen Narong Racha Rit Ta asked.
“It would be the eighth Khor Rab.” Muen Maharit answered.
“Is that so, don’t let her look it for a long time or she would know it is not the former one.”
“P’ Pin P’ Yam follow Mae Prang, tell her Khun P’ Rueng will take her to Ta Lad Chee Goun and Pa Pa Kiiew. Gade Surang told her servants quickly.
“Now the sunshine is not too strong we could buy goods comfortably ” Muen Maharit said.
“Would you like to go with them? The head of the family asked the one who would like to go outside the most.
“No, I wouldn’t. I will let P’ Pin and P’ Yam go with Mae Gaew and Mae Prang. I will be here to give you moral support while you are working and I will embroider of the pillowcases for the monk and will get it finished today”
“You are always at home and well-behaved now. I wonder I have to go to Song Kwae soon." He raised his eyebrows to tease her before walking to change his clothes for taking a shower and going to work at a small Sala not far from the big one.
“You always know what I’m doing.” Gade Surang complained but her eyes sparkled of happiness.
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Nai Jerm and Nai Chum prepared to paddle the boats for 4 young bosses. Nai Waean and Nai Proong followed them too. Nang Pin, Nang Yam, Nang Jig and Nang Plang used another boat.
While their boats were sailing out, there was a boat was sailing in. Mae Glin looked at the people on the boat that were passing by. She sighed “Unfortunately, where were they going?”
Mae Glin looked up the four boats until they were out of sight. Mae Glin laughed gently. "What's wrong with me?" She was just looking at the appearance of the four beautiful people superficially but it made her feel full of vitality surprisingly.
When she arrived the pier of Praya Wisootsakorn house, she ordered her servants to lift vegetables and fruits on to the pier and herself walked to greet servants of Taan Praya and told them to go to tell Taan Praya that she had brought crops from Yai Gui garden to give him. His house was peaceful (Rom Yen). It was peaceful both body and mind (
Yen Tang Guy Yen Tang Jai) . People smiled friendly. The owner and his family had a good heart until people were rumored all over. Mae Glin felt that she was lucky that Yai Gui brought her and looked after her. It made her get the result of merit and feel delighted to receive the aura of goodness that covered this area every time she brought the crops here.
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The word “Rom Yen (ร่มเย็น)” means not only “peaceful”, but also it means not hot, happy, comfortable, not in trouble, no war.
Rom = shady = ร่ม
Yen = cool = เย็น
Yen Tang Guy Yen Tang Jai =
เย็นทั้งกาย เย็นทั้งใจ
Tang = the whole part, all over = หมดทุกส่วน, ทั่ว
Guy = body = กาย, ร่างกาย
Yen = cool = เย็น
Jai = Mind, heart = จิตใจ, หัวใจ
Yen Guy (Physical) = body (is) cool
= Praya Wisootsakorn’s house was not hot. It might be the trees around and the house itself. Generally before building old Thai style - house. They had to consider the direction of the wind the whole year in order to keep the house not too hot or too cold and keep it from the rain. Old Thai houses were raised on high platform to prevent flooding in the rainy season and let air moving also.
Yen Jai (Mental, emotional) = mind (is) cool
As Mae Glin said the owner and his family had a good heart and servants in their house were friendly so she felt happy dealing with them. = Yen Jai
There are other examples for the word “Yen”.
Jai Yen (ใจเย็น) ----His brother gets angry easily (hot tempered) but he is Jai Yen (=be steady and calm/keep cool/patient)
Jai Yen Yen (ใจเย็นๆ) = Please calm down
Yen Ta Yen Jai (เย็นตา เย็นใจ) ---When I look at the green rice field while the wind blowing. I feel Yen Ta Yen Jai or I feel Yean Tang Ta Yen Tang Jai (Ta = eyes)
Weather or climate conditions also has influence to the language like :
English : When I live with my lovely family I feel warm.
Thai : When I live with my lovely family I feel Rom Yen (Or Yen Tang Guy Yen Tang Jai)
The English language comes from the cold weather countries they use the word “warm”.
But in Thailand the weather is hot. They need coolness so Thai people usually use words Yen when they feel happy, calm or comfortable.
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Poodtaan was looking at the market condition in front of her. There were many stuffs but it was not different from some provincial markets that were not organized. Some people wore headbands some didn't wear upper- body clothes. There are both permanent wood panels with roofs and the bamboo panels lifted simply without roofs but it was good that the merchants were smiling. There are many people who come to buy things but it was not crowded.
Some parts of the ground were dry and hard but some parts looked so dirty that she almost didn't want to walk. Many people did not wear shoes. It was scary if parasites penetrated. Poodtaan herself put on leather shoes that Yai Gui gave her from the house. Yai Gui put on too. But Nang Aon and Nang Ung walked bare feet. Many vendors said hello to Nang Gui when she walked in. It made Poodtaan know Nang Gui was well-known.
“Don't you bring vegetables to sell at Pa Taan today? Yai Gui” One of vendors asked.
“I will do it tomorrow. Today I have sent some to Praya Wisootsakorn house.” Nang Gui answered
When walking to the part that selling cloth, Poodtaan’s eyes were sparkling because beauty-loving was in her blood. There was fine cotton in various colors, blue, red, yellow, pearl, light green, pink and brown. She felt very puzzled when seeing the colors of the fabric that she didn't think there would have 300 years before her era.
“Do you like sandalwood color? But it is not good for hard work. The dark brown was the most easily dyed color and cheap. It was suitable for wearing when you work because we would not see stains clearly. Nang Gui said
“If so I take the brown color.” Poodtaan told her.
“Then buy a sandalwood color that goes along with your skin and this brown one. For a moment we're going to Pa Taan to buy vegetable seeds and Pa Pa Kiiew in front of the prison before going back home.
“In front of the prison Ru Jao Ka?” Poodtaan asked.
“Well isn’t there a prison on the heaven? The prison is a place that imprisons people who do bad things."
“I don’t think it would be in the town.” Poodtaan said.
“It has to be in the town so that it won't take time to drag them to work. It would waste both time and food if work isn't finished. These prisoners need food and they don't die easily."
Nang Gui said so bluntly and rather rude in Poodtaan's thought. She looked kind but she was rough sometimes. It might be because of her doing the trade made her have to struggle to earn a living but she had sincerity.
After walking for a while Poodtaan was aware of the word "to drag". She saw a group of men and women with dark skin being fettered hanging around the neck carrying wood passed by. Some groups also had children mixed in and there was a chain to connect them together dredging the canal.
“What did those children do Ka Yai Gui.?”
“Their father did. Wife and children have to be fettered too. Hurry down to the boat Pa Taan takes time to go.”
Poodtaan was still confused with what she heard. She looked at those poor people with depression, really uncivilized!
"The man did but why do his wife and children have to be punished either?”
“If husband or father did successfully, his wife and his children will get benefit. If he doesn't success in what he does, wife and children have to get punishment as well. Here is human world not the heaven.”
Nang Gui looked at the front and the back carefully before warning her to behave properly.
“If you meet anything, keep your voice down or you might get punishment” Poodtaan sighed and followed her.
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Pa Taan was far from Pa Chom Pu. After going up the pier, Nang Gui traversed along the various panels which were all vegetables, various kinds of fruits Including fresh products from the forest. The vegetable seeds weren't many types but each type had a lot. Nang Gui bought and put them in a bundle of woven bags and handed to the servants who followed.
This market is dirtier than the fabric market (Ta Lad Pa Chom Pu). Poodtaan could not walk full of her feet despite wearing shoes. She tried to let it go and used her hand to spread out the vegetable seeds together with thinking of ways to make a living.
“Is there any Pak Bung Jean seeds? (Chinese morning glory)” Poodtaan asked the seller.
“No, there isn’t. It is very expensive so I don’t sell it. Chinese merchants import with a junk boat but not many. When being cooked it is not delicious as Pak Bung Thai. It is hardly to sell. If selling, have to sell the Chinese nobleman who use pork oil to fry. If using coconut oil like us it is not delicious. If you would like it, go to Baan Nam Woun Baang Ga Jaa. There might be sold.”
“Baan Nam Woun Baang Ga Jaa Rue Ka?” Poodtaan repeated the name of a place she was not familiar with and turned to look at Nang Gui and smiled flatterly her until she was soft both her heart and her voice.
“Do you think of growing vegetables?”
“Jao Ka it would be easier than growing fruits that it takes more time Na jao Ka.”
“The price of seeds from China is rather high. People in Ayutthaya don’t eat it. Where would you sell it then?
Nang Gui said and sighed. This girl might be able to grow vegetables as she said but the trade she would not be so good because she didn't know about it. Her age was not too young but in her eyes still glittered of the innocence.
Well, seeing that you are willing to work. I will give some vegetables seeds that are easy-growing and easy-selling to you. Stop thinking about the Chinese vegetable and take some banana shoots to grow. It would be better. Poodtaan listened to Nang Gui and then she realized that herself was a generation that didn't know about the economy of this era including any eating values so she nodded easily. But she determined that if she could build up herself and be more familiar with this place she would try to do what she thought. Even if she could not sell to the Thai people then but she might focus on foreign customers.
But to buy expensive Chinese vegetable seeds would require more money. She pondered before widening her eyes when she remembered that the time she came up this place. That young guy had given money to her. The appearance didn't not go wrong with the money that Nang Gui used at the moment but that coin looked bigger. It should have more worth.
Unfortunately, when she recovered, that money was not in her hands. It might fall in the area of the ditch where she fainted. She determined in her mind that she had to go there again to find that money.
After purchasing the seeds they all went down the boat to go to Pa Kiiew. Nang Gui let the servant paddle back to the same path before separated from the previous path to the market in front to the big prison.
Poodtaan looked at the market that she had just arrived. The scenery looked better than the two markets that had passed. Not far away from the pier there was three-story high tower with red arches. Each floor had a large leather drum was stretched by a rope.
And it's strange that there was a white cat with black at the ear tips lying on the floor of the tower. She was fat around the middle. It would give kittens soon. Not far there were another 3 cats climbed to lie on the cloth wraps that were for sale happily. She looked with pleasure until there was a sturdy man passing her closely entering to talk to the shopkeeper selling the betel nut bag that Mrs. Kui was currently choosing.
“Give way please Mae Glin, Pa Chom (Aunt Chom) I'm collecting fee for fish. I'm in a hurry. I have to control prisoners over there.”
“Uh Here it is.” Pa Chom said and told him that “Ee Kao (name of the cat) would deliver her kittens soon. I saw her belly. It might be today or tomorrow. Please take care of it, Muu Soung (หมู่สง).
“Alright, alright I will tell Ai Dee to help. Eh!” Muu Soung looked around until he met Poodtaan's eyes and then exclaimed. His weary eyes from duty a moment ago shined brightly when seeing the eye-catching appearance of a strange woman. Poodtaan moved to close to Nang Gui quickly.
“I thought it was Mae Glin. Also I thought that her skin looked much fairier. Is she your another niece?”
“Sueak (= เสือก = butt in, intrude, be nosy)” Nang Gui said before picking up pieces of cloth to compare the color.
Poodtaan was stunned staring at Nang Gui with opened eyes but the one who was scolded (Muu Soung) laughing loudly.
That made Poodtaan think this word "Sueak" might not too rude this era.
“You are possessive but she is so beautiful. She deserves being protective."
Eh! I recognize her face. She looks like eh..looks like who? Muu Soung said.
“You say so much, Muu Soung, a while ago you said you had to control the prisoners.”
“Well, that’s true. Where else? , fee for fish, hurry up. Send it to me please.” He accelerated collecting the fee from other merchants and quickly put it into a cloth bag and was walking to the side of the prison. But before going he turned back to look at Poodtaan again. When he went so far then Nang Gui warned Poodtaan softly.
“Muu Soung is a player. Don't be involved with him. You might Sia Nue Sia Nuaun.
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Sia Nue Sia Nuaun/ Sia Nue Sia Tua = lose one's virginity
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“Oh! Playboy.” Poodtaan nodded for few times. Nang Gui looked at her fair face and sighed because she didn’t understand what she said.
“Muu Soung, it is a strange name.” Poodtaan said.
“Muu is a rank. His name is Soung, a low-level noble.” Nang Gui said and spat Nam Mak to the floor. It seemed she didn’t like Muu Soung.
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Nam Mak = น้ำหมาก = saliva mixed with betel, spat by betel chewers
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“He often flirts to Mae Glin. Except for being a player, his habit is not too bad.” Nang Gui said.
“I thought he sold the fish because he came to collect the fee from the shopkeepers” Poodtaan said. Nang Gui listened and laughed.
“It is a fee to buy grilled fish for the cats that watch the drum tower.” Nang Gui explained.
“The cost for the cats' fish Rue Jao Ka?
“These cats work. They protect the Drum Tower. Do you see the ropes stretching the drums? Both the ropes and the drums are rat’s food. Previously they were bitten so often that they had to pay for the new ropes and the new drums many times. Then the nobleman who took care of the drums allowed to bring the cats to chase the rats. The cost of grilled fish that feeds the cats comes from the rent of these panels of the shops. Each shop pays 5 Bia”
“Oh ho Lum Mak. (Exceptional, Outstanding, Extraordinary)
Poodtaan looked at those groups of the cats with the changing eyes. The picture of people moving around both people who sold and people who bought the products, no one was free. Everyone had tasks and duties that had to do. Even the prisoners who worked hard to dredge the canal and the cats that had to work and got wage too.
If she was lazy not doing anything and let Nang Gui had to look after her, the cats would embarrass her.
That made the fire inside herself blaze until she wanted to go back to dig the soil and raised vegetable beds at once.
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