The Road to Mandalay 2021

A young Burmese girl, Lien Ching, embarks on a perilous journey by secretly stowing away in a truck bound for Bangkok, Thailand, in hopes of securing a brighter future and eventually reaching Taiwan for better opportunities. Upon arriving in Bangkok, she encounters A-kuo, a boy from her hometown of Lashio, who harbors a pragmatic yet less ambitious outlook and has developed a crush on her.

Without proper identification, Lien Ching faces significant challenges in finding legal employment and is soon arrested by Thai authorities for being an illegal immigrant. As a result, she finds herself in a tough spot, facing fines and relying on A-kuo’s support. Desperate to acquire legal paperwork—regardless of its authenticity—she embarks on a strenuous journey filled with failed attempts and financial losses.

Eventually, Lien Ching is forced to accept an offer from a drug dealer who demands a hefty sum of money in exchange for the necessary documents. In a heartbreaking turn of events, she resorts to prostitution to gather the required funds. This decision ignites a fierce anger within A-kuo, who has always been there for her.

Ultimately, Lien Ching manages to gather enough money to secure her passage into Thailand, while A-kuo finds himself still struggling to meet his own needs. Just before her scheduled departure, driven by jealousy and despair, A-kuo tragically takes Lien Ching’s life in a moment of rage.