Bitter/Sweet is probably not the best romantic comedy ever made. It's more like a slice of life. But regardless of where the movie lacks, it does feature some beautiful shots of Thailand and the pride Thai people have for their traditions while balancing the modern world.

The story is about American businessman Brian Chandler (Kip Pardue) who is sent to Thailand to inspect a coffee crop (and take photos of area flowers). He meets Ticha (Napakpapha Nakprasitte), a beautiful Bangkok executive who grew up on her family's coffee farm.

Her parents urge her to connect with Brian and bring him from the cosmopolitan bustle of Bangkok to the farm, where generations of Thai people have grown amazing coffee beans. The film includes shots of Thailand from the white sand beaches of Krabi to the pristine hidden pools tucked away inside rural mountain areas. And although the film is English, some portions include Thai with American subtitles.

Thailand Emerging As An Asian Agriculture Center.

Like many things about the Thai people, historical, scientific, and social aspects produced modern Thailand's unique approach to agriculture. Not surprisingly, the country's most important crop is rice, specifically jasime rice but Thailand has been increasing its diversification.

Today, professional farmers make up almost 20 percent of the workforce, and is credited with ending the 1960s depression in Thailand. Believe it or not, Thailand leads the world in producing and exporting rice, rubber, cashews, canned pineapple, and black tiger prawns. It also leads Asia in exporting chicken, feeding more than four times the entire population of the country.

Mountain farmers, like the one seen in the movie, are encouraged to grow coffee, apples, strawberries, kidney beans, and other temperate crops. While the most fertile area is central Thailand (surrounding Bangkok and also the inspiration for many Kung Fu Plaza dishes), more and more of the country is being cultivated for farmland.

A Classic Thai Story Unfolds In Bitter/Sweet.

The Bitter/Sweet storyline is relatively common in Thailand. As a rapidly developing economy, many children of farmers receive degrees for more urban careers and sometimes experiment with leaving the farm.


In fact, its a story that Kung Fu general manager Alan Wong shares with Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya. Just as she left after attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), Wong attended an American university before returning to help manage his family's restaurant in Las Vegas.

"There is a culture clash between the Thai and American people that even native American born Thai people like myself experience," says Wong. "Americans often teach their children to continually excel to what some might perceive as a higher profession whereas the Thai people place more faith in keeping a family legacy like a farm, restaurant, or trade."

Wong says Thai people are more likely to experience the same feelings now, as the country becomes increasingly progressive and economically viable. Similar stories have taken place all over the developed world as new opportunities present themselves.

"The lesson in the movie, which is the same one I share with Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, is the honor in returning to the family business," says Wong. "What is unique about the Thai culture today though is that there is no obligation. Children are allowed to spread their wings and make their own choices — and then return with a new perspective."

In addition to earning his degree, Wong had also managed a family restaurant in Hawaii for several years before selling it. Then, he returned to help manage the increasingly popular Las Vegas restaurant. While the physical size of Kung Fu Plaza is modest, the restaurant is a favorite among hotel guests on the Las Vegas Strip.

Founded in 1973, Kung Fu Plaza is the oldest and most authentic Chinese and Thai restaurant in Las Vegas. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The average entree is under $10 and most patrons order family style.