Bangkok’s Hidden Oasis: Ko Kret

Bangkok is a crazy city, a place that consumes the plane loads of visitors that arrive in the capital every day. Many people don’t know where to start when they get here, and time can fly by so fast that before they know it they have to leave again. It’s a concrete jungle that is easy to get lost in, but with so much mystery and exotic delight around every corner it will never be boring. However, the hustle and bustle can be all-encompassing, and sometimes all you need is a day or two of relaxation to bring yourself back down to earth again. Finding a quiet place might seem like an impossible feat, and many people flee to the southern beaches in hope of some respite. Luckily, you really don’t have to go that far to find some peace and quiet from busy Bangkok. The island of Ko Kret is nestled along the Chao Praya River, just 20km north of Bangkok, and can be quickly reached from the centre of the city.

Ko Kret’s History

Back in 1722 thousands of canals were being carved out of the land which no makes up the majority of Bangkok. One canal called Khlong Lat Kret was dug so that a large bend could be bypassed at the Om Kret section of the Chao Phraya River. This section of canal kept getting bigger and bigger to deal with the increasing boat traffic, and eventually it completely cut off the piece of which became Ko Kret Island. Since then the island has served as a sanctuary for the Mon tribes, who during the 6th to 10th centuries were the majority in central Thailand. The island has never attracted large scale development, and so retains a unique identity. There is no bridge connecting the island to Bangkok city, and so the only way to get there without getting wet is by boat.

What to Do There

Ko Kret has become much more of a tourist destination now than it was in the past, but it still feels a long way from hectic Bangkok city. The best way to get around the island is to walk, as each side of the island only measures roughly 2km. A walk around the entirety of Ko Kret should only take a couple of hours, but exploring the interior will take a bit longer.

One of the best activities to enjoy here is a bicycle ride, and renting one is simple. Having wheels to get around will mean you’ll be able to visit the various temples, locally know as wats, much quicker. Wat Poramaiyikawat is the biggest and most important on Ko Kret, and there is an adjacent museum here exhibiting some of the traditional pottery that Ko Kret is famous for. The other temples that are worth a visit are Wat Chimplu Suttahawat, which has a stunning same chapel, and Wat Sao Tong Thong, which has a tall pagoda to marvel at.

If you want to take home a souvenir, then it has to be some of the unique pottery that the local people craft, called kwan aman, which is a special style of Mon pottery. The different pieces of pottery on display are vast, form the smallest pots to huge intricately designed pieces. Just remember when you buy, you still have to get it home safely!

Getting to the Island

You’ve got a number of options when it comes to getting yourself to Ko Kret. Being so close to the centre of the city, you can easily arrange carhire and drive yourself up to the ferry pier which is behind Wat Sanam Neua. You can also get to this ferry pier by public bus, and you need to catch either the bus 166 or 505 and take it all the way to the Pak Kret market, then walk 500 meters to the pier from there. To make it a bit easier on yourself, there is a guided tour boat, called the Chao Phraya Express Ko Kret tour, which leaves the Central Pier at 9am, but this only runs on Sundays. Other options include hiring a river taxi to take you all the way there, however this is one of the more expensive choices, or taking a tuk-tuk or taxi to Wat Sanam Neua and hopping on board the public ferry. However you decide to get there, that is when the hard work is over and you can relax in tranquillity!