Koh Kret, Bangkok

Koh Kret is a sizeable village surrounded by flow of Chao Phraya river and smaller adjoining rivers around it, which made it look like an island. And I think because of the geographical structure and landscape that formed the land of which the village was established, hence the name Koh Kret (Kret Island) was being tagged on this village. So, do not be mistaken that this was yet another island in Thailand when the name was mentioned.

BOARDING THE BOAT FROM WAT SANAM NUEA TO KOH KRET

Koh Kret is located in Pak Kret of Nonthaburi province, not far away from Bangkok. One of the most important industry in Koh Kret is the pottery production factory of which these were operating from the village homes and being the most unique industry within the village. Talk about pottery and Koh Kret will surely come into mind when you are in Bangkok.

ARRIVAL AT KOH KRET & FIRST LANDMARK-WAT PORAMAIYIKAWAT

To get to Koh Kret, shuttle ferry can be boarded from the Wat Sanam Nuea pier with a fare of THB 2 which is a short river crossing to the island village of Koh Kret. Upon reaching Koh Kret, the first landmark and attraction is the historical Wat Poramaiyikawat.

KOH KRET OTOP VILLAGE WEEKEND MARKET & ITS SELECTION OF STREET FOOD

The best time to visit Koh Kret is during the weekends when the OTOP Market (One Tambon (Township) One Product) is open. It could be seen from the signboard to this OTOP weekend market which was a award winning market but not sure if that was for real or just a statement to attract more visitors to Koh Kret. Regardless of the signboard saying the fact or otherwise, this Koh Kret weekend market is definitely worth a visit.

DELICIOUS MIENG KAM

There are just so many selection of street food available to choose from and these are very tastily delicious while easy on the pocket in terms of pricing too. Just walk along the narrow footpath of the market, stroll through the market and you will definitely find some of the most interesting street food that comes in variety of snacks and sweets available among the vendors. One of the must try street food in Koh Kret is the mini ‘mieng kham’ on sticks. Mieng Kham is made from raw fresh leaves filled with roasted coconut shreds follow by other mixture of ingredients including chopped shallots, fresh chilies, cut gingers, garlic, small dried shrimps and chopped peanuts. The raw fresh leave will wrapped all the ingredients together and it is ready to be eaten. Try this when you are at Koh Kret weekend market, you will likely enjoy it I am sure if you are one that enjoy the taste of herbs.

DISTINCTIVE KHAO CHAE

Another unique dish in Koh Kret is ‘khao chae’. This is a rice dish where the rice being soaked in jasmine flower scented water that is added with some rock or cube ice. Khao means rice while chae means soak. Apart from the soaked rice, Khao chae is served along with variety of other add ons of sweets and mouth watering side dishes. These include shrimp paste balls, stuffed shallots, battered salted egg and fried sweet pepper. Khao chae is another not to be missed food while touring Koh Kret and is served in most of the food joints overlooking the river. You can have lunch or drinks in the afternoon or after a lengthy walk around the OTOP market and enjoy the scene along the Chao Phraya river.

Other than good street food tasting experience, Koh Kret offers more interesting activities to everyone. This include the few landmark Thai temples of which Wat Poramaiyikawat being the most iconic among them. From the shuttle ferry pier over at Wat Sanam Nuea, the slanted white Chedi of Wat Poramaiyikawat can be seen. This temple is the very first place all visitors to Koh Kret will come across when landed in this island village. Wat Poramaiyikawat was said to have been built over 200 years ago and was based on Mon style architecture. Other notable temples include Wat Phai Lom and Wat Sao Tong Thong. The village homes in Koh Kret are surrounded by huge greens including trees, fruit trees and bushes. A walk along the footpath on the island will bring you to some of the nook and corners of Koh Kret village homes.

THE POTTERY PRODUCTS & POTTERY VILLAGE AT KOH KRET

THE STREETS, VILLAGE HOMES & NATURAL SURROUNDINGS AT KOHKRET

BICYCLE FOR RENT & FISH FEEDING ACTIVITY AT KOH KRET

As pottery industry is the most vital business within Koh Kret, a visit to village homes with pottery productions should be included while in Koh Kret. These pottery house will have complete working areas where slabs of earths being produced on site, manual pot shaping and carvings right up to heating of variety of pots inside a huge heat stove all within the pottery production house. The pots produced consist of few selection of varieties suitable for kitchen use in household or commercial purpose or just for purpose of souvenir or decorations for homes or gardens. If you like it, you can purchase it for souvenir or own use and price is also affordable. Koh Kret is surely an attractions to visit while you are in Bangkok. All in, the OTOP market, the street food, the temples and Chao Phraya scene and the pottery village did not disappoint.