Best of Times

The story alternates between present-day Bangkok and scenes from the characters’ past. It references a long-ago high school romance and the memory-driven journeys of its characters. A historic touchstone appears in the memory of Typhoon Gay (1989), grounding the film’s reflections on change and resilience.

The film primarily unfolds in Bangkok, where Keng runs a veterinary clinic. It also visits a farm in Chumphon, home to Jamrus’s cherished Malay rose apple tree, and shows Fai in her daily life as a nurseryman. A final chapter follows Sompit’s departure to the United States with her family, indicating the movement of people across borders and the endurance of memory across places.

💞 First Love

A youthful crush from high school resurfaces years later, shaping decisions and rekindling an emotional bond between Keng and Fai. The narrative shows how a single gesture, like a love song, can leave a lasting imprint across decades. Music serves as a trigger that revives old memories and prompts honest conversations. The film suggests that first loves can influence present choices when people are ready to listen.

🧠 Memory and Aging

Jamrus’s Alzheimer's diagnosis foregrounds memory as both a fading thread and a catalyst for meaningful connection. The film uses memory to explore love, loyalty, and the pain of forgetting. Objects like the Malay rose apple tree and old notebooks anchor nostalgia in the present.

🤝 Friendship and Community

Keng’s computer class for the elderly becomes a space for intergenerational bonding. Sompit and Jamrus form a bond beyond romance, while the group supports each other through aging and life changes. The film emphasizes caring across generations and shared routines.

🌳 Memory as a Living Tree

The Malay rose apple tree serves as a living symbol of memory and perseverance, linking Chumphon’s past to Bangkok’s present. Scenes around the tree’s transplantation into a new home mirror the characters’ own adaptations. The act of moving the tree becomes a hopeful gesture toward continuity.