Escape to Koh Kret Island

Twenty kilometers northwest of central Bangkok lies an isolated island called Koh Kret. This small island offers village charm despite being just a short boat trip from Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River. Moreover, Koh Kret is famous for its rural atmosphere, distinctive pottery, and busy weekend market.

A visit to Koh Kret gives you the chance to quickly escape Bangkok’s hustle and bustle. Furthermore, you can get lost in a unique island culture where stepping back in time feels natural around every corner. Therefore, this destination offers a perfect day trip for travelers seeking authentic Thai experiences.

The Mon People’s Cultural Heritage

Koh Kret is home to Thailand’s Mon people, who moved from Burma more than 200 years ago. The Mon people have successfully preserved much of their unique culture and lifestyle. This preservation happened because the island remains very isolated from surrounding areas.

Consequently, a visit to Koh Kret provides a truly unique experience. You can see Mon culture in the design of traditional riverside houses, which have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Additionally, you’ll feel their heritage through the warm hospitality that locals show visitors.

If you’re looking for one of Bangkok’s hidden gems that few foreign tourists visit, then Koh Kret is definitely worth considering. Because it stays off most tourist routes, you’ll experience authentic local life without crowds.

Famous Pottery and Local Crafts

Koh Kret is especially known for earthenware and ceramics. Local artisans make hand-thrown terra-cotta pots and other ceramics in the island’s pottery village kilns. Therefore, visitors can watch skilled craftspeople create beautiful pieces using traditional methods.

The island also has another reputation that comes from villages along Khlong Khanom Wan. Here, you can watch locals make sweet traditional desserts. Don’t visit Koh Kret without tasting one or more of these local treats.

However, loading up on takeaway desserts as souvenirs might not work well. They probably won’t last long enough to make it back home. Instead, it’s better to eat the desserts yourself and buy t-shirts for friends and family back home.

Customer feedback – “Just got home from this wonderful place. A quick ferry ride across the river takes you away from the madness of Bangkok and into the tranquility of Koh Kret. Pottery, gifts and food is all very reasonably priced and plentiful. I chose to walk around the whole island, took about 1&1/2 hours.”

Exploring the Island’s Markets and Walkways

Much of the island can be accessed through elevated walkways. Along these paths, many shops sell local handicrafts while restaurants serve traditional Mon cuisine. Furthermore, the narrow market lanes feel more charming than touristy.

These areas remain relatively uncrowded on weekdays. Therefore, weekday visits offer a more peaceful experience compared to busy weekends. Additionally, you’ll have more opportunities to chat with local vendors and learn about their crafts.

Because the walkways connect different parts of the island, you can easily explore various neighborhoods. Moreover, the elevated design protects the paths from flooding during high tide periods.

Sacred Temples and Religious Sites

No destination in Thailand is complete without temples that add to the peaceful atmosphere. Koh Kret follows this tradition perfectly. The temples here date back to the Ayutthaya period, making them historically significant.

One of the island’s most respected temples is Wat Paramai Yikawat. This temple includes a small adjoining museum and remains a pilgrimage site for people of Mon descent. Furthermore, resident monks continue to perform chants in the Mon language, preserving this ancient tradition.

The temple also features the signature lopsided Mon-style chedi. Additionally, visitors can see a ten-meter-long reclining Buddha and a seated Buddha. Local people consider this seated Buddha to be Nonthaburi province’s most sacred Buddha image. Therefore, the temple attracts both tourists and devoted worshippers throughout the year.

Some of the island’s other temples are:

Wat Palelai – a shrine to the ‘Buddha in the Jungle’ celebrating the time Buddha spent in the wild with animals and nature
Wat Chimpli – an older temple with a bell shaped top and colored glass tiles
Wat Salakun
Wat Sao Thong Thong – a typical Mon temple with an Ayutthaya-style chedi showing how the Mon adopted elements of their new home in Thailand while mindfully preserving their own culture
Wat Phai Lom – temple with two huge golden cockerels guarding the entrance

What to eat on Koh Kret:

Tort man nor galah – a dish of deep-fried patties of ground fish, various fresh herbs, colorful flowers, mushrooms and an aquatic vegetable (nor galah).
Kanom Jeen – fermented rice noodles eaten with a variety of different curries.
Kow Chae – delicious combination of camphor-scented rice in chilled water with savory additions. Particularly popular during the Thai summer.
Gai sarong – minced chicken wrapped in egg noodles and deep fried, resulting in crispy golden balls.
Dokmai tort – colorful arrangements of edible flowers and leaves stuffed into banana leaf bowls.

Few tourists visit Koh Kret mostly because it is not featured in many guide books and the combination of transport options that are necessary to reach the island can be daunting to figure out. Having a private tour guide enables you to enjoy the experience while leaving the logistics of your tour to a professional and knowledgable local.

Koh Kret can be visited any day of the week. The best time for visiting is all day, from early morning until 4pm. Weekends are more crowded than weekdays.

Things you should be aware of when visiting Koh Kret:

Comfortable shoes and clothing are highly recommended since you will need to climb in and out of boats.
Photography is highly encouraged along every part of this tour.
Bring your appetite and your sense of adventure.
Respectful attire is required if you plan to visit any of the temples on Koh Kret.