Koh Kret Island is an isolated piece of land that is found on the Chao Phraya River. In the 17th century a channel was dug which caused it to be separated from the mainland. Mon immigrants are said to have settled here over 200 years ago. Even at present a large majority of the island’s population belong to the Mon tribe. They have preserved the traditional way of life on the island. There are no roads or bridges that have been built here and the best way to get from one end of the island to the other is to simply walk. Another way that is now widely popular amongst tourists is taking a cycle tour. One can hire a cycle from the tour company for a nominal price then take the boat ride to Koh Kret.
The cycling tour is a great way to explore the island because there is no harm done to the environment. You can always rest in a shady spot, drink water and have a snack and continue to see the rest of the island. A special characteristic of the island are the river houses since they reveal the river based life of the island’s inhabitants. The people thrive on fishing and resources that surround the island. Their day to day life has been environment friendly and resourceful. The traditional earthenware pots made from clay are used as pans and cooking utensils. While on the cycling tour you can pop into the Koh Kret Museum to find out information about the way people lived on the island.
There are also several Mon type temples that have been built. Wat Parami Yikawat is definitely worth checking out; you can see some interesting architecture, and the style is very different to what you find in the temples in Bangkok. If you want to visit some of the places outside of Koh Kret then you should look to stay at Bangkok serviced apartments. They are more private and have all of the utilities that you will need for your holiday. Anantara Baan Rajprasong Bangkok is one such option and provides Sukhumvit accommodation in city’s business district.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.