Kaew Janthaseema tended to a wounded Japanese soldier during World War II and they fell in love. Her story would become known and romanticised for generations.
Kaew Janthaseema relaxes at her home in Khun Yuam district of Mae Hong Son. The woman, whose story of love with a Japanese soldier during World War II made her and the province famous, has died at the age of 86.
That was in 1941 and the woman from Mae Hong Son whose story of love and separation brought fame to her and the province has now died.
Kaew, endearingly referred to by locals as Mae Kaew (Mother Kaew), died of old age in Sri Sangwan Hospital in Mae Hong Son on Aug 18 at the age of 86.
Her passing brought back memories of a woman from a far-flung village who attracted widespread public fascination.
The love life of young Kaew blossomed at the beginning of WWII when a Japanese sergeant by the name of Fukuda Hityo arrived at her village in Khun Yuam district.
He was among the Japanese troops who invaded Southeast Asia and were advancing to Myanmar.
Hityo was injured in the fighting and Kaew's father, a local herbal specialist, took him in and treated him.
Kaew slowly nursed the soldier back to health. They grew closer and fell in love. The couple lived together while Hityo was stationed at the village outpost. He would remain there until the war ended in 1945.
Together they had a son, Boonthan Janthaseema, now a retired teacher.
After the war ended, Hityo was flown back to his home country.
Kaew never heard from him again. It is not clear if Hityo is still living.
Kaew's love life received attention far and wide after Japanese and other foreign media came to the village and interviewed her. Kaew's vivid account of her life with Hityo and their wartime relationship became material for films. Foreign film-makers approached her to appear in movies on her experience.
In Japan, Kaew was widely known and her life reached the ears of the emperor who gave her a sake cup as a souvenir. The cup was hand-delivered to Kaew at her home.
Hers was a story that drew parallels with the popular tragic love novel Koo Gam which was made and remade into smash-hit soap operas and movies.
Mae Hong Son governor Narumol Palawat said provincial authorities would sponsor Kaew's funeral.
The governor said the province had planned to invite her to preside over the opening of a new Japanese museum in Khun Yuam.