Ko Kret Island, Bangkok

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I went to Koh Kret on Friday. The island was almost deserted. Many shops are closed. I heard that the island comes to life only in the weekends.

There is nothing much to do there. If you like pottery, you may find the two pottery villages interesting where you can watch the pottery making process. (The word 'village' is rather misleading because it is actually two villages, each with its own pottery factory).

Getting there:

1) Take the express boat (local line) to Nonthaburi [Fare: 10B, 1 hour trip]. From Nonthaburi, take bus 32 to Pak Kret [30 min trip], then catch the ferry [2B] at the Wat Sanam Nua pier across to the Island [6.00 am - 9.00pm daily].
2) Take air-con bus 505 or 6 from Samsan Road to Pak Kret. Get off at Pak Kret market next to the river,then catch the ferry [2B] at the Wat Sanam Nua pier.
3) Take the Chao Phraya tourist express boat, which leaves Central Sathorn pier at 10.00 am and return from Koh Kret at 3.30pm [Fare: 300B, weekends only].

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This gorgeous little island in the Chao Phraya is well worth the ride up the river. You take a river express boat to Tha Nonthaburi, switch to a Laem Thong ferry, and go to Tha Pak Kret. You can get a share ferry to the island from here.

The island is inhabited by members of the Mon tribe, and this is a very old and well established settlement - or mini-culture. They are skilled potters - which is the major industry on the island. Shop after shop of little treasures, which are quite distinctive, and the cheapest you will buy them in Thailand. Most are made on the island, and some are amazingly elaborate.

There are also small organic fields and banana plantations, and the housing and people on the island demonstrate a great pride and standard of living. There is a concrete path so you can walk all the way around the island, and we enjoyed this 30-40 minute strolling pace, checking out the locals and the neighbourhoods!