Ko Kret

Ko Kret was created in the reign of King Thai Sa in 1722. The King wanted to solve the problems with the duration of the water transportation and the sailing delay. Moreover, he wanted to develop economy of the Ayutthaya period. So, he tried to solve the problem by the digging of a canal to bypass a meander in the Chao Phraya river.[1] The digging of the canal was a success that made sailing faster. During this period people called the canal Klong-Lat-Kret-Noi. Thereafter, people began to call it Klong-Lat-Kret and the beginning of the canal or the mouth of the canal was called the Pak Kret. With time passing, Klong-Lat-Kret was eroded by the tide until it became a river. The land area at the peninsula that was the same as island called Ko Sala Kun.[2][3]

Ko Kret has thrived since the Ayutthaya period because the temple on the island were the main art of Ayutthaya. But when the Burmese occupied the city, the island was deserted. After salvage of independence, King Taksin allowed Mon people to settle down on Ko Kret. Later, when Pak Kret was set the name of the district and the sub-district, Ko Kret was set as the name of the district until now.[3][4]

Despite being only a small island that is the residence of Mon, Ko Kret has six temples, one of which is a deserted temple, one masjid, two schools, and one hospital. The most prominent temple is Wat Paramai Yikawat, an ancient Mon temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya river. The most notable thing of this temple is a leaning white Mon style chedi at the corner of the island where the Chao Phraya river and Lat-Kret with Om-Kret meet. It is considered a landmark of Ko Kret.[6] [7]

At present, Ko Kret is promoted as a cultural tourism destination of Nonthaburi. Visitors will experience the way of life of locals and learn about pottery making which is their main occupation, or renting a bicycle to ride around the island without any time limit. Moreover, still have the opportunity to sample many rare foods which is mostly Mon food such as khao chae, fried flower and thot man no kala, a variation of Thai fishcake, that mixed no kala (Alpinia nigra). It is a local food that is not found in other places. [8]

Ko Kret is accessible from many ferry routes such as from Wat Sanam Nuea to the pier in front of Wat Paramai Yikawat or from pier under the Rama IV Bridge to pier between Wat Phai Lom and Wat Paramai Yikawat etc.[9]

Ko Kret is open for visitors only on Saturday–Sunday and public holiday from 9:00 am to 05:30 pm. [8]

• List of islands of Thailand

• Ko Kret travel guide from Wikivoyage