We will travel to Pak Kret by mini van and cross the Chao Phraya River by ferry to its hidden gem which is called Koh Kret Island. This tiny island is located 20 km north of Bangkok in Nonthaburi Province. The island was created in 1722 when a navigation channel, Khlong (canal) Lat Kret, was dug to bypass a loop in the river, isolating a part of Pak Kret.
Koh Kret’s Mon community has kept its traditional culture and charm. Koh Kret is another world compared to Bangkok, and much of it retains the Mon (Raman) origin architecture. The air of a rustic village, with wooden shacks propped against palm trees. No cars are permitted.
The main attraction is just walking around, browsing the merchandise in the many pottery shops. Along the northern corner of the island there are a couple of old temples that are well worth a visit. We will visit Wat Poramai Yikawat, an ancient temple established more than 200 years ago. Here we find the most notable icon of the island, the pagoda called Leaning Chedi, or Chedi Mutao.
After seeing temples, many kilns, watching the potters at work carving the intricate designs at the workshop, we will have a nice lunch in a peaceful environment on the island.
Leader: Germa, germavds@hotmail.com
Limit: 18 persons
Sign up online and pay by Monday, January 17th, to ensure your place. The lunch scheduled after the walking tour is compulsory and not included in the donation amount.
Donation amounts revised on Jan 5th to include cost of roundtrip minivan transportation.
