Nearby
Koh Kret
Koh Kret: a half-day river island escape near IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi
- IMPACT
- 30 min drive
- Hours
- เกาะเปิดตลอด 24 ชม. วัดและพิพิธภัณฑ์เปิด 9.00-16.00 น. ทุกวัน
Koh Kret is an island in the Chao Phraya River in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, about 2 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide. It's known for its old Mon community, handmade pottery, riverside Mon temples, and a lively community market on weekends. The island itself is accessible 24 hours a day, while its temple and museum are open daily from 9am to 4pm. For anyone attending an event at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Koh Kret is one of the closer attractions that can be done as a half-day round trip, though it's not within walking distance. You'll need to take a car to the Pak Kret side and then cross by boat.
The island has 7 main villages, the largest and most famous being Ban Mon. Its charm lies in wooden riverside houses that have barely changed shape in a hundred years, a way of life still tied to the river, and Mon-style pottery passed down for over 100 years. The temple highlight is Wat Paramai Yikawat, which shares its grounds with a museum and includes a temple building over 200 years old that serves as the island's landmark.
What people attending conferences or concerts particularly like is the quiet, green atmosphere, a sharp contrast to the bustle of the exhibition halls. There are no roads for cars on the island, so you get around on foot or by bicycle. Along the way there are local food stalls, snacks, and riverside cafes to stop at. A relaxed visit takes about half a day, whether morning or afternoon.
Why IMPACT event-goers pick this place
- It's a nearby attraction to IMPACT Muang Thong Thani with a completely different atmosphere from the exhibition halls, swapping large event buildings for a car-free riverside village.
- It's in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi, the same area as Muang Thong Thani, so you can take a car and cross by boat in a single trip without needing to head into central Bangkok.
- It can be seen in half a day, ideal if your event ends early afternoon or if you arrive a day before it opens. No need to block out a whole day.
- The island itself is open 24 hours, so it's flexible around your IMPACT schedule, even though the temple and museum close at 4pm.
- You get food, handmade souvenirs, and Mon culture all in one place, good for bringing clients, your team, or foreign guests who are in town for an event.
- It's mainly walking and cycling, so costs stay low, making it an easy add-on during an event day without complicated planning.
Where is Koh Kret? Key facts before you go
Koh Kret is an island in the Chao Phraya River, in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok. It's compact enough to see on foot or by bicycle in a single day. Here's what's worth knowing before you leave your event at IMPACT.
- Location: in the middle of the Chao Phraya River, Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province
- Size: about 2 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide, with 7 main villages
- Opening hours: the island itself is open 24 hours daily; Wat Paramai Yikawat and its museum are open 9am to 4pm daily
- Highlights: the Ban Mon community, handmade pottery going back over 100 years, a temple building over 200 years old, and a weekend community market
- Getting there from IMPACT: not walkable, you need to take a car to the Pak Kret side and then a boat across
- Time to set aside: half a day, either morning to noon or afternoon to evening
What to see and do on Koh Kret
The heart of the island is its living Mon community, not a scene staged for photos. Walk from the pier into the small lanes and you'll find wooden riverside houses, community shops, and pottery workshops where you can watch the craftspeople at work.
If temples are your priority, head straight to Wat Paramai Yikawat first, since it has both a temple and a museum in the same grounds and closes at 4pm. For activities, renting a bicycle to ride the paths around the island, or taking a boat around the island to see the villages from the river, is a good option and shows an angle most visitors miss.
- Wat Paramai Yikawat, a Mon temple with an on-site museum, open 9am to 4pm
- Ban Mon village, the largest of the island's 7 villages
- Watch, and try, Mon pottery making at a community workshop, a craft passed down for over 100 years
- Cycle around the island with no cars or motorbikes to worry about
- Take a boat ride to see the riverside villages and daily life along the Chao Phraya
- The community market, especially lively on Saturdays and Sundays
What to eat on Koh Kret: dishes not to miss
The island's signature ingredient is nor kala, a local vegetable that's hard to find elsewhere. The most popular dish is tod man nor kala (nor kala fritters), served hot with a sweet-spicy dipping sauce, and there are several other dishes that use nor kala as the main ingredient worth trying too.
Food stalls, Thai sweets, and community restaurants line the walking paths, so you'll pass a place to rest and get a cold drink every few minutes, no need to bring your own supplies. Visit on a weekend and more shops will be open, giving you more choice than on a weekday.
- Tod man nor kala, the island's signature dish, eaten with a sweet-spicy dipping sauce
- Other dishes made from nor kala, Koh Kret's local vegetable
- Local food and Thai sweets from community vendors along the walking paths
- Riverside cafes and drink stalls for a break between walking or cycling
How to get to Koh Kret from IMPACT Muang Thong Thani
From IMPACT Arena, Thunder Dome, IMPACT Challenger, and IMPACT Exhibition Hall, Koh Kret is not within walking distance, you'll need a vehicle either way. The usual route is to take a car to the pier on the Pak Kret side, then cross by boat, since there are no roads for cars on the island itself, every vehicle has to stay on the mainland.
Another option, for a fuller river experience, is to take a Chao Phraya River boat north from the Bangkok side, which takes about 40 minutes to Pak Kret, the last stop before crossing to Koh Kret. This route is scenic and shows another side of the city, but takes longer, so it suits a day when you don't have anything scheduled at the halls.
Travel time by car depends on traffic on Chaeng Watthana Road and on whether IMPACT has a major event running. Allow extra time for the round trip, and check the last ferry crossing directly with staff at the pier.
- IMPACT Arena and Thunder Dome: not walkable, a vehicle is needed
- IMPACT Challenger: not walkable, a vehicle is needed
- IMPACT Exhibition Hall: not walkable, a vehicle is needed
- Main route: take a car to the pier on the Pak Kret side, then cross by ferry to the island
- River route: a Chao Phraya River boat from the Bangkok side, about 40 minutes to Pak Kret
- No roads for cars on the island itself, get around only on foot or by bicycle
Who it suits and how many hours to plan
Koh Kret works best as a half-day trip, either morning to noon or afternoon to evening. If you want to see the temple and museum too, aim to arrive by 2pm at the latest, since they close at 4pm, so you can walk at a relaxed pace without rushing.
It particularly suits people attending an IMPACT event with a free half day, couples wanting a quiet setting, families bringing kids to try pottery making, and international guests who want a taste of Thai life without travelling far out of town. If you prefer air-conditioned malls and minimal walking, temper your expectations, since the main activity here is walking outdoors.
- Recommended time: 3-4 hours for the market, food, and the temple
- Arrive before 2pm if you plan to visit the temple and museum
- Saturdays and Sundays are busiest with the most shops open; weekdays are quieter and easier to walk
- Good for: couples, families, groups of friends, international guests, and anyone at an event with a free half day
Tips for people attending an event at IMPACT
If you're at an event at IMPACT and want to fit in a visit, the best approach is to go in the morning before the event opens, or in the afternoon on a day it ends early, since the island itself is open 24 hours, but shops and the temple are at their fullest during the day. You can be back at the hall comfortably in time for the evening session if you leave the island before 4pm.
On dress and gear, expect a lot of walking outdoors, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat or umbrella. Dress modestly if you're visiting the temple, covering shoulders and knees. Carry cash too, since many community shops accept cash only, and for questions about boat fares, bicycle rental rates, or the last boat crossing, ask directly at the pier for accurate information.
- Plan for a half-day round trip and allow time for the ride back to Muang Thong Thani when your event ends
- Leave the island before 4pm if you have an evening session or concert to attend
- Dress modestly at Wat Paramai Yikawat and remove your shoes before entering buildings
- Carry cash, many community shops don't accept cards
- Ask directly at the pier about boat fares, bicycle rental, and the last boat crossing
Frequently asked questions
What time does Koh Kret open and close?
The island itself is accessible 24 hours a day, every day. The temple and museum are open 9am to 4pm daily. If you plan to visit Wat Paramai Yikawat and its museum, arrive by 2pm to give yourself at least 2 hours before closing.
Where is Koh Kret, and how far is it from IMPACT Muang Thong Thani? Can you walk there?
Koh Kret is an island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River, in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, and it's not within walking distance of IMPACT. IMPACT Arena, Thunder Dome, IMPACT Challenger, and IMPACT Exhibition Hall are all unreachable on foot, you need a car to the pier on the Pak Kret side and then a boat across. The island itself is about 2 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide.
Is there an entrance fee for Koh Kret?
Koh Kret is an open community area accessible 24 hours a day. The main costs are the ferry crossing and bicycle rental, and there's no officially published rate for either, so it's best to ask directly at the pier on the day. The temple and museum are open for visits from 9am to 4pm daily.
Do you have to take a ferry to get to Koh Kret?
Yes, since Koh Kret is an island in the Chao Phraya River with no road connecting it to the mainland. The standard route is to drive to the Pak Kret side and cross by ferry, a ride of just a few minutes. Check the time of the last crossing with staff at the pier, especially if you have an evening event at IMPACT.
How many hours does it take to visit Koh Kret?
About 3-4 hours, or half a day, is enough to cover the community market, some food, Wat Paramai Yikawat, and a stop at a pottery workshop. If you also want to cycle around the island and take a boat ride past the villages, allow a full half day, morning to noon, or afternoon until 4pm.
Can you visit Koh Kret on a weekday? Are the shops open?
Yes, you can. The island is open 24 hours and the temple and museum are open 9am to 4pm every day. But the community market and shops are busiest on Saturdays and Sundays. If your IMPACT event falls on a weekday and you prefer a quieter, less crowded, easier walk, weekdays actually work better.
What should you eat on Koh Kret? What's the signature dish?
The signature dish is tod man nor kala, made from nor kala, a local vegetable found on Koh Kret, served with a sweet-spicy dipping sauce. There are several other dishes made from nor kala too, plus local food and Thai sweets from stalls along the walking paths. You'll find food and drinks along the entire route during a 3-4 hour visit.
How do you get around Koh Kret? Is walking or cycling better?
You can do either, since there are no cars or motorbikes on the island, just paths through the villages. If you have 2-3 hours and mainly want to see the market and temple, walking is enough. If you want to cover the whole island, about 2 kilometres long, renting a bicycle from a shop in the community, or taking a boat ride around to see the villages from the river, is worth it.
Can you try making pottery yourself at Koh Kret?
Yes. The island has a community workshop where you can try shaping cups, bowls, and pots on a potter's wheel, with local craftspeople teaching you. Koh Kret's Mon-style pottery has been made for over 100 years and is a popular souvenir to take home. Go between 9am and 4pm, when shops and the workshop are all open.
Is Koh Kret suitable for children and older visitors?
Yes, as long as outdoor walking isn't an issue, since there are no cars on the island, making it safer for children to walk around than in a typical neighbourhood, and there are activities like trying pottery making. That said, the paths are community walkways and it can get hot, so plan for regular breaks and keep the trip to around 2-3 hours for older visitors.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Koh Kret?
No booking needed. Koh Kret is an open community area accessible 24 hours a day, so you can just go without buying tickets in advance. Just plan to arrive by 2pm if you want to visit Wat Paramai Yikawat and its museum, which close at 4pm.
Where do you park at Koh Kret?
You need to park on the Pak Kret side before taking the ferry across, since there are no roads for cars on the island. There's no officially published information on the number of parking spaces or fees, so it's best to ask around the pier on the day. If you're visiting during an event at IMPACT on a weekend, allow an extra 15-30 minutes to find parking.
What's the best time to visit Koh Kret when attending an event at IMPACT?
The best times are the morning before the event opens, or the afternoon on a day it ends early. Allow 3-4 hours, since shops and the temple are at their fullest between 9am and 4pm. If you have an evening event or concert, leave the island before 4pm to allow time to get back to Muang Thong Thani.
Can you visit Koh Kret at night after an event at IMPACT ends?
You can enter the island 24 hours a day, but night visits aren't recommended, since the temple and museum close at 4pm, most community shops close by evening, and crossing by boat after dark requires checking the last crossing time with the pier beforehand. If your event at the hall runs late, it's better to save Koh Kret for the following morning.
How long does it take to reach Koh Kret by boat from Bangkok?
Taking a Chao Phraya River boat north from the Bangkok side takes about 40 minutes to Pak Kret, the last stop before crossing to Koh Kret. This route gives you the full riverside experience and has day-pass ticket options, but it takes longer than driving from Muang Thong Thani, so it suits a day when you don't have anything scheduled at IMPACT.
What should you wear to visit Koh Kret?
Dress comfortably and bring sun protection, since the main activities are walking and cycling outdoors for 2-4 hours. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat or umbrella, and if you plan to visit Wat Paramai Yikawat between 9am and 4pm, dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and carry cash since many community shops accept cash only.
Facts from the official website, last checked 31 Aug 2026