Salween 1993

Historical background of Myanmar conflict

A scrolling text establishes that Myanmar gained independence after World War II but ethnic conflicts persisted. It sets up the ongoing war between the central government (SLORC) and the Karen insurgents. It also introduces Tweepong, a Thai timber baron who manipulates both sides to keep the unrest alive so his logging operation can profit from the border forests.

Tweepong's manipulation of the conflict

Tweepong is introduced as a Thai timber magnate who cultivates ties with both KNLA and SLORC to keep the regional conflict simmering. He aims to ensure the unrest remains active so his timber operations near the Salween River can continue unimpeded. His double-dealing creates the dangerous, wild-west atmosphere of the border town.

Danai arrives and asserts authority

A young idealistic police lieutenant, Danai, rides into Fah Soong Pha Sak to take charge of the border police. A gun battle erupts between local cops and gunmen, leaving Danai muddy and demoralizing the station’s lax discipline. He gives the undisciplined officers a sharp dressing-down and insists they clean up and wear uniforms.

Invitation to the birthday

Somsak Tweepong, the godfather's son, visits Danai and invites him to his father's birthday party. The invitation pulls Danai deeper into the Tweepong family's circle and into the tensions between rival factions. The scene foreshadows the blend of personal and political stakes in the border town.

Elder Tweepong encounter

During a patrol through the rugged district, Danai meets the elder Tweepong, dressed in white and chasing butterflies with a net, who gives him salve for his blistered feet. The meeting hints at a calm, almost surreal counterpoint to the violence around them. Danai leaves with a small reminder of the Tweepong family’s reach.

Birthday party and the unhappy wife

Danai attends the birthday party and encounters Somsak's wife, a former Bangkok beauty queen now trapped in an unhappy, alcoholic marriage. She exudes charm but is quietly distressed by the life Tweepong imposes. The scene reveals the personal cost of the power struggles in the region.

Nid introduction

Danai meets Nid, a teacher at a school for Thai hill-tribe children and the daughter of Ram. Nid explains her mother's Karen heritage and how Somsak’s men raped and killed her, fueling Ram's hatred toward Tweepong's faction. This backstory deepens the motive for Ram's loyalty and Danai's sense of justice.

Cross-border escalation

As KNLA forces, led by Tulay, are attacked by a SLORC helicopter while crossing the Salween into Thailand, Danai initially orders Ram to turn the Karen back. After witnessing the helicopter's devastation, he relents and even fires on the helicopter, which returns fire. The escalation shows how quickly the conflict spills over into Thai soil.

Somsak's murder of his wife

Somsak’s wife accuses him of infidelity and of being homosexual, prompting a violent confrontation. He forcibly takes the pistol from her and shoots her; she escapes to the police station and dies afterward, saying Somsak killed her. The murder marks Somsak as a danger that must be captured.

Somsak fugitive and forceful pursuit

Somsak becomes a fugitive in Myanmar, and Danai initially believes he should be extradited through proper channels, but Ram convinces him to act outside the law. A party is organized to go into Myanmar and bring Somsak back by force. The operation polarizes loyalties and tests Danai's ideals against reality.

Deal for Somsak

Somsak's father makes a deal with the KNLA to provide Stinger missiles in exchange for saving his son. Tulay's faction briefly considers a different path, letting Danai's party proceed on their way in exchange for surviving the river incident. The maneuver shows how weapons and lives are traded in this borderland war.

Karen attack and Ram's death; back to Thailand

The following morning, Karen forces launch an attack; Ram is fatally shot but manages to injure Tulay before dying. Danai and the survivors, including Ram's daughter, seize Somsak and head back toward Thailand. The borderland conflict has claimed Ram and pushed the pursuit toward its final act.