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Amphoe Pak Kret
Ko Kret
This tiny island has reached its prosperous time since the
Ayutthaya era. Therefore, most of the temples were established in
the Ayutthaya style. Lived by the descendants of the Mon people
who have had a permission to install here during the reign of King
Krungthonburi, Ko Kret was also the destination of another wave
of Mon immigrants in the period of King Rama II. The favorite transportation
of the islands are bicycles and motorbikes
Interesting sites on Ko Kret ;
Wat Poramaiyikawat : This old monastery located in Ko Kret
and constructed in Mon style architecture is the only place where
Mon sacred scriptures are kept. A wooden castle lying the former
abbot Mon coffin clearly seen at the temple’s pier is considered
to be a perfect landmark. King Rama V who has had the Ubosot decorated
with imported Italian materials according to his majesty’s
the most favorite style has, by the way, initiated the praying in
Mon at this monastery in order to continue the Mon tradition. In
the Ubosot is the location of the principle Buddha image whose face
was considered by King Rama V to be very charming and lively as
if it was real. Another main attraction of the temple is a Mon style
marble carved pagoda enshrining the Lord Buddha’s relics. In
addition, this pagoda is a replica of Phra Tat Chedi Mutao in Hongsawadi,
Myanmar.
Phra Wiharn : This is the venue where the 9.5 metres long
reclining Buddha of the late Ayutthaya period is enshrined. The
edifice’s outside is decorated with King Rama V’s emblem.
Nonthaburi’s Buddha image named ‘Phra Nonthamunin’
enshrined here behind Phra Wiharn was formed in the late Ayutthaya
period. Besides, a charming marble Buddha image offered to King
Rama V by a Burmese named Sang Sew Sun is placed in front of the
Viharn. Opened daily from 9 am. to 4 pm.
Wat Poramaiyikawat Museum : The museum displays various
interesting items such as votive tablets, crystal ware, porcelains
including ‘hem’, a master piece of art made by Colonel
Chatwat Ngamniyom. Some say that Hem must be created by Mon who
had an inspiration from the coffin of the Lord Buddha. Dried remain
will be put in the normal hem coffin but the hem of monks is different
with a tiny window where the body can be seen from outside. Opening
time is Monday to Friday from 1 pm.–4 pm. and 9 am.-4.30 pm.
on weekend. For more information, please call 0 2584 5120.
Wat Sao Tong Thong : This long-dated temple used to be called
‘Wat Suan Mak’ is the site of Amphoe Pak Kret’s first
primary school. Behind the chapel, the tallest pagoda of Pak Kret
was constructed in the Ayutthaya style. Inside the chapel, the gorgeous
ceiling paintings finely decorate the edifice. Another name of the
temple in Mon is ‘Pia Arlart’.
Wat Phai Lom : This monastery built in the late Ayutthaya
period and called by Mon people ‘Pia To’ has a charming
chapel.
Wat ChimphliSutthawat : The temple has a beautiful small
chapel that remains nowadays in a very good condition absolutely
worth for visiting.
Kwan Aman : Considered as the Mon Cultural Centre, this
pottery museum is notable for its large collection of the distinctive
ancient Mon design ceramics. Mon people have always been skillful
in pottery since their settlement in the delta of Irawadi River.
Later, at the time of Mon’s installation to Thailand during
the Thonburi era, pottery has become since then Nonthaburi’s
oldest handicraft and symbol with the notably beautiful characteristic
Mon design. Opened every day from 9 am. to 5 pm. For more information,
please call 0 2584 5086.
The Dessert Canal (Khlong khanom wan) : The local people living
in the compound of the dessert canal as well as other canals around
Ko Kret earn their living by selling several traditional Thai home-made
desserts and sweets. Tourists can also enjoy the show on how to
make Thai desserts and shopping all the sweetmeats as souvenirs
from Khlong Khanom Wan.
How to get there ;
Take the ferry at Wat Sanam Nua (not far from Pak Kret Pier)or
Wat Klang Kret Pier where the boat will be on service from 5 am.
to 9.30 pm.
Sample of Ko Kret Tour :
1. Take the ferry from Wat Sanam Nua to Wat Poramaiyikawat Pier
to worship Nonthaburi’s Buddha image then take a look around
Rama V Museum.
2. Walk from Wat Poramaiyikawat to Mu 6 and Mu 7, enjoy the walking
tour and the shopping of various style of pottery then visit the
museum of Kwan Aman Pottery
3. Drifting along the river from Wat Sao Thong Thong Pier to Ko
Wat Yai Sawang Arom in Tambon Om Kret. Feed the fish in front of
the temple. In addition, various kinds of aquatic animals are reserved
in this area. Before leaving, don’t forget to taste the Sweet-Scented
Coconuts which are on sale here.
4. Go downstream to the south then turn right to Khlong Bang Bua
Thong or Khlong Khanom Wan admiring the beautiful scenery of the
Dessert Village and shopping sweetmeats as souvenirs
5. Drifting back to the mouth of the canal where the chimney of
the first brick kiln of Thailand can been seen. Pass Ban Kret Trakan
then head north for Wat Chim Phli Pier and shop for agricultural
products. Carry on with the walking tour starting from Wat Chim
Phli to the Assembly of Pottery Craft. Take a look at the demonstration
of how to make a pottery and end the tour with shopping for porcelains
before getting back to Wat Klang Kret by ferry.
The boat will be leaving the pier every single hour from 9 am.
to 5 pm. for the tour of Ko Kret. The ticket fare is 40 Baht per
person. There is also the possibility of renting a boat at the price
of 350-3,000 Baht depending on the distance and the size of the
boat. It will take around 1 hour and a half for the whole trip.
For more information, please contact Wat Poramaiyikawat Pier at
0 2584 5012.
Montri Tramote’s house or Ban Som
Song Saeng
This house on Tiwanon 3 Road, Soi Phichayanan 2, Tambon
Talad Khwan belongs to Kru Montri Tramote, notable Thai musician
who lived during the reign of King Rama V until King Rama IX. Acclaimed
as a national artist in 1985, he composed more than 200 songs including
the most famous one called ‘Som Song Saeng’. The house
is opened to the public for a study on a simple way of living of
Kru Montri Tramote who had applied the buddhist virtues and non-materialism
to his life. This warmly pleasant house is still lived by his descendants.
But in the same compound, an area is served as an exhibition of
Kru Montri Tramote’s biography, works and the whole original
copies of his songs including the one firstly composed at the age
of 20 and the last one written when he was 91 years old. Nowadays,
the house is also opened as a Thai musical school every weekend.
Besides, on second Sunday of February every year there will be a
ceremony of showing respect to Thai musical teachers which is free
of charge.
How to get there ;
By bus : number 32,33. For more information, please contact
0 2968 9498 press 0 or 0 2527 5257
Sri Nakarin’s Park
A park named after his majesty King Rama IX’s mother.
With an area of about 41 acres, it is a huge public park where an
enormous pond is surrounded by various plants making the place shady
and peaceful for relaxation. Opened daily to public.
How to get there; From Pak Kret Pier, take Tiwanon Road, turn right
at the first intersection and carry on around 2 kms
The Horn Museum
A great collection of horns as well as antiques is displayed
in this private museum located at 27/8 Mu 6, Pracharaj Rd., Tambon
Talad Khwan. Inside the museum, there is an exhibition of horns
and antiques dating back 100 years to 16 million years ago, particularly
the horns of the herbivore and cannibal in Thailand. The most distinguished
horn is the 2-metre-long mammoth’s ivory found in the northeastern
part of Thailand. Opened on weekend from 9 am. to 4 pm. The admission
fee for adult is 100 baht and 50 baht. for children. For more details,
please call 0 2526 2681, 0 2968 5956 Fax. 0 2526 5741
The Lame animals Aid Foundation
Being nowadays a home of 800 dogs and 150 cats, the foundation
situated at 15/1 Mu 1, Soi Phramahakarun, Tiwanon Rd. is pleased
to accept any kind of donations such as money, newspapers, rice
and etc. Besides, there are also several projects, for example;
‘To extend the cats & dogs lives, it takes only one bath
per day!’, ‘I want Daddy and Mommy Project’. What’s
more, on every last Sunday of April, the annual fair where an auction
of the stars’ belongings and the show of dog stars will be
held. For more details, please contact 0 2584 4896, 0 2961 5625,
0 2961 3799 Fax. 0 2961 5305
Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit
A big pleasantly shady temple in Tambon Bang Talad is famous
for its Lan Phai Anek Prasong considered as a center for Buddhists
to attend the religious ceremonies as well as listening to sermons
from the abbot every Sundays and Holy days
Wat Ku
This Mon style temple located on the bank of the Chao Phraya
River in Tambon Bang Pud was constructed in the Thonburi period.
Inside the old chapel, the walls are finely decorated with paintings
in Mon style. The temple is known as the area where the shipwreck
of King Rama V’s queen took place. Therefore, a palace has
been built to commemorate her death. Her body was temporarily placed
in the monastery before Lying-in-State in Bangkok. The ship was
salvaged later and kept in the dock near Wiharn’s edifice enshrining
a big reclining buddha. There is also a pavilion constructed as
another remembrance to her death imitating Phra Thi Nang Aisawanthippaya
Asna. in Bang Pa In Palace.
How to get there ;
By car : From Pak Kret Pier, turn left into Soi Wat Ku on
Sukhaprachasan Road. Pass Wat Bang Pud Nok and Suan Thip around
3 kms., the temple will be on the left.
By boat : Rent a boat at Pak Kret Pier and head towards
north around 3 kms. It will take 10 minutes to see Wat Ku Pier on
the right.
Wat Saeng Siritham Floating Market
A floating market on Rattanathibet-Tha It Market Road, Tambon
Tha It intends to promote the local products from the vicinity of
the temple as well as from Ko Kret. This floating market is a wonderful
place for relaxation not far from Bangkok. Opened on weekend and
national holidays from 6 am. to 5 pm. For more information, call
0 2962 5391, 0 2584 4778
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