Kuen pra chan tem doueng

The gimmick is at first confusing. The soundtrack to a radio soap opera set in a luxury hotel is acted out by characters who are riding a ramshackle bus from Bangkok to a small town in Northeast Thailand. The out-of-focus photography and lack of lighting don't seem to help. But, like a ride on an uncomfortable bus, you have to just sit down and make the best of it, because eventually you'll get to your destination. The radio drama occurs while the bus is moving and once your suspension of disbelief sets in, it's actually enjoyable. A T-shirted backpacker is the handsome hotel owner, a fatigues-clad soldier is the ladyboy "hostess" of the restaurant, a matronly businesswoman is the hi-so owner of a fashion gallery and a troubled young woman is glamorous fashion model. When the bus stops, at a gas station and later to change a flat tire, the drama of the character's real lives ensues and is infinitely more interesting - especially in the parallels that can be seen between both lives.