Over the years, the canal has been widened both manually and by natural erosion of the river waters, resulting in a considerable width of water to now justify the area of Ko Kret as a true island.

The main ferry pier landing area is near to everything that happens on this small island, but it would be sacrilege simply to stay in this 'tourist' area. Ko Kret is a wonderful community of friendly people, living in a world that has for the most part passed them by. On the plus side, there is tranquillity and friendship on Ko Kret Island, on the minus side, tourists - both Thai and foreign - tend to flock to the island - particularly at weekends.

Bananas and shanty shacks!

One very interesting characteristic of the Ko Kret Island, is the fact that it is totally devoid of cars. Bicycles and foot being the normal mode of transport. Bearing in mind that the Ko Kret Island is just upstream from Bangkok, then the lack of cars for many will be both blessing and novelty. Rush  hour on the island is as fast or as slow as you want to make it! Watch out for the odd motorbike (I saw two in four hours), and vendor's hand pushed carts with various goods (and bads) for sale. There are some lovely locally made items for sale - including earthenware trinkets and the like. But, as with all things Thai, the imported plastics are also finding their way onto the island.

The island is about 2km across - hardly room for a three point turn - and a convenient footpath runs right around the perimeter. It takes a couple of hours lazy walk to do the walk around Ko Kret. Longer if you are interested in all that is going on there. You can also hire a bike. Walking or cycling are the two options. Walking is best, for much of the time you will have to get off your bike anyway.

As Ko Kret is an Island, there will be water surrounding you wherever you go - sometimes lapping at the edge of - or over - the track that you are walking. (It would be stretching the imagination to talk about roads on Ko Kret!) Where there is water, there will be mosquitoes or other assorted midges that seem to favour the skin and blood of western tourists. Cover as much as you can.

Eating
Ko Kret is rightly renowned for the food is serves up - whether from a couple of barrels upturned, with a plank of wood or a tin sheet acting as counter, or at one of the 'sit-down' places near the main market/landing area. Much of the food to be had has a local flavour with historic leanings towards the Mon people who largely inhabit the island. There are several delicious local-made sweets that just ache to be tried. Don't fill up at the first stall, for there will be others to try en-route. Then you will have either started, finished your trip near the market. 

Pottery
The main inhabitants of the island of Ko Kret, are ancestors of the Mon Tribes who were commonplace in central Thailand in middle sixth - tenth centuries. The Mons have their own distinct form of Buddhism - with more emphasis on superstition and astrology than their Thai cousins. Spirits are important part of the Mon form of Buddhism. They are also adept with their pottery making skills - a main source of income for many of the inhabitants of the Ko Kret Island. The clay for the hand-thrown earthenware pottery is gathered locally from the Island.

One has to wonder how long the Mons can excavate their local clay without causing further erosion problems - especially as tourist and Thais alike, are happy to take a bit of the Island home with them, by way of a choice piece of locally crafted pottery! Most of the pottery can be sought out at the small individual potters along various lanes and footpaths. Kiln baked unglazed terra cotta best describes the engineering side of the pottery business, but there are some fine ornate specimens, but also simple candle holders and incense burners. Anything from a few baht to a few thousand baht.

There is also a OTOP area with stunning displays of the locally-made Terracotta. More than likely, you will see one of the craftsman/women had-carving the clay before it enters the kilns. This is painstakingly detail work carried out by devoted experts, with skills handed down through many generations on Ko Kret. Pottery on Ko Kret here

Out and About.

1/ Sometimes the water rises up a little on Koh Kret
2/ Not always to everyone's delight!
3/ A guarantee that it DOES work, and that you can get a tune out of it.

 
1/ There are some picturesque places to be found by walking the walk.
2/ Paradise lost on Ko Kret Island
3/ The rather nice roof detail at Wat Paramai Yikawat - The main Wat on Ko Kret Island
4/ Not to be stroked - or teased. It probably will not be there by the time you visit!

English is not an often heard language on Ko Kret Island, but some of the direction signs are including English on them. This will probably expand, as the influx of English-speaking tourists does! Don't go to Ko Kret looking for excitement - other than a bit of haggling. Take it easy in this slowly modernising area near Bangkok. Wooden shacks aplenty give it an old eastern charm which is rapidly disappearing further down the river.

Wat Paramai Yikawat

The favoured Wat on the Ko Kret Island, is Wat Paramai Yikawat - also known as Wat Mon -  several pagodas of white marble, together with a Mon-style Marble Buddha. It is well known - being the central point of all things tourism on the Island. Near the market place/Wat you will find the leaning Chedi - accident or engineering marvel it matters not. It is interesting. Some say that the base is constructed - nay hewn - out of marble. If that turns you on, then fine. Marble - white or not, does not normally have to be painted regularly with exterior grade emulsion paint!

 

If you go inside the temple - and you should, then cast your eyes upwards to see the beautiful ceiling.

Don't plan on staying for a long weekend, or even overnight. No guesthouses or the like. Though you can do a residential yoga course for a few days!

 

Ko Kret Leaning Chedi.

Earthenware Pottery on Ko Kret Island

 

Map link http://map.longdo.com/p/A10026583/map