This applies to many, many characters, actually.
Among the pranangs, Singh is probably the least complicated as well as the one with the least frustrating traits. Then again, I think it's because he doesn't have a personal dilemma that contributes to the main plot. We only get a short glimpse of his background story and his role is minor compared to the other three. The others carry enough issues as it is.
I actually think Ploykwan is very smart. Even before she met Seur, she was observant of Petroong's behavior. She knew Petroong was thinking about someone special even when the girl denied it. She's also insightful enough to know that Seur protected her as if he was her older brother. I would hate it if she misunderstood and thought that he only did it out of some kind of romantic fondness.
Speaking of the "whipping scene," it was actually one of my favorites. Yaya had the opportunity to show off what she could do with a drama scene and at the same time, almost came off as a nang rai. As for what it offers from a narrative perspective, it further showed that deep down inside, Petroong is still just a vulnerable girl who doesn't quite understand her own feelings or like you mentioned, in Seur's words, "a cry baby." She was intent on whipping and humiliating her younger sister in front of the sheriff and everyone, but when it was Seur who she whipped "on accident", she suddenly broke down. I think the worst part was that she pulled out the victim card and then acted as if it was everyone's deliberate intention to give her a hard time. But every character has at least one flaw. It's nothing to be ashamed of.
