We have heard stories, both in real life and films, about relationships and romance that come and go when you are on vacation, visiting a place for the first time, especially for 2 people of different races and cultural backgrounds who meet and develop a relationship over time. However, Jeanette and Sulai, who are both in their 50s, prove that not all couples of different cultural backgrounds end up with a “temporary” relationship. They are a testament that true love can survive through time and distance. This is their story.
Only 22 years old in 1992, Jeanette, a young woman from Sweden, traveled to the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand on her own. She was wandering around the island when she chanced upon a young local named Sulai. When their eyes met, no words were exchanged, only smiles that brought 2 strangers together.
Since then, Sulai never left Jeanette’s side during her stay at the islands. Although they both spoke to each other in different languages, it never hindered their communication. Every day, they enjoyed each other’s company while visiting various places on the islands. Unknowingly, 7 months have already passed. Jeanette’s visa was about to expire, and she was forced to return to Sweden. However, she made a promise to Sulai that she would definitely come back.
When Jeanette returned to Sweden, she learned that her parents were against her relationship with Sulai. Additionally, she discovered she was pregnant with his child. At a young age, she felt lost, so she took her family’s advice and had an abortion. She remained in Sweden and finished college. After she graduated, Jeanette worked as a construction engineer. She began to have her own family and had 2 lovely children.
In the Phi Phi Islands, Sulai waited for Jeanette for 5 years. However, when she did not return, he met an Italian woman who later became his girlfriend and moved to Italy. In 2009, Jeanette divorced from her husband. Taking her chances, she returned to Phi Phi Islands with her daughter, hoping to reunite with Sulai. When she learned that he had already left the islands with his girlfriend, she decided to leave.
6 years passed, and Jeanette’s daughter met Sulai in the Phi Phi Islands. When she told her mother the good news, Jeanette immediately flew to the islands. The 2 reunited in February 2015, hugging and crying after being apart for 23 years. Sulai realized that Jeanette’s feelings for him never changed, even after over 20 years.
The 2 were inseparable since. Sulai decided to live in Sweden with Jeanette and her daughter and worked hard to learn their local language. He worked in Sweden for some time and shared their love story on local television. However, Sulai was unable to adapt to Sweden’s cold climate and unfamiliar environment, which caused him to fall into emotional stress. Additionally, it was beginning to affect their relationship.
Noticing Sulai’s dilemma, Jeanette’s daughter encouraged her to leave everything in Sweden and return to the Phi Phi Islands with Sulai and her to start a new life.
Like a real-life fairy tale, they finally lived a simple and happy life on the islands, loving and accompanying each other. Sulai and Jeanette have lived on the islands for more than 3 years.
In our travels, a chance encounter that leads to a relationship can be temporary or permanent. If true love is present, 2 people can find their way back to each other even after difficulties and separation, no matter the distance and time. ❤️
Images credits: © Raksabi Lanta @raksabailanta/Instagram
