Dear Hillary,
My wife’s mother is coming down from the up-country village, to spend a few days with us. I have not seen her since we got married and I was wondering what I should call her? “Mum” sounds pretty silly to me, as I am older than she is. What do you suggest I should call her to be polite?
Son-in-law
Dear Son-in-law,
This is the easiest one I’ve had all year, Petal. You ask your wife! Like all Thai wives, she will know what to call her mother. Relax.