Koh Kret
A rural backwater with a majority Mon population, Ko Kret island is well worth a day trip. The Mon were among the first tribes to arrive in Thailand and made up most of the country’s populace between the 6th and 10th centuries. Now largely absorbed into broader Thai society, Ko Kret Island remains as a refuge for traditional Mon culture, preserving their particular craft, language and religious expression.
The island lies 20 kilometres north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River, where it was cut off from the mainland in 1722 when a canal was built to bypass a large bend in the meandering watercourse. The best way to get there is across the water, either by hopping on one of the public ferries or catching a weekend river cruise and visiting the island as part of a day tour.
No cars are needed here as the island is small. You can travel around by renting a bicycle or catching a ride on a motorbike, and it only takes a couple of hours to complete a tour of the path which circles the square coastline.
Pottery can be found all over the island, from the workshops and kilns where you can see it being made to the earthenware pots which are used to serve food. Mon ceramics are distinctive thanks to their unglazed terracotta finish and the sophisticated patterns carved into the surface. If you are looking for a gift to take home, this is a great option. Small pots are relatively inexpensive, but be prepared to pay much more for larger, more ornate pieces.
If you start to feel peckish, try some fresh shrimp tempura in one of the local restaurants. The island is famed for the quality of its desserts, so be sure to check out the offerings in Dessert Alley where you can even see a demonstration of them being made.