KoKred Bangkok's Hidden Gem.
The artificial island of KoKred lies cuddled between two bends
of the Chao Phyra River at a point where the river wends to its
narrowest. It is a counterfeit stricture, as this straight and
narrow channel was cut to speed the journey of river traffic as
it plied between Ayutthaya and the Gulf of Thailand.
This 10 kilometer square island is a delight. There are no cars
, and the roads are
narrow concrete strips splayed out around the island. The
only traffic is an occasional motorbike or bicycle. What bliss,
a stone's thrown from Bangkok, a city that is being strangled by
the motor vehicle!
and the roads are narrow concrete strips splayed out around the
island. The only traffic is an occasional motorbike or bicycle.
What bliss, a stone's thrown from Bangkok, a city that is being
strangled by the motor vehicle.
As you step off the ferry that has brought you across the river
from Pakkred in a brief minute or two, you step back into a
Thailand of 50 years ago. This island is home to a community of
Mon people who came here from their homeland in the river Kwai
valley north of Kanchanaburi . The temples and Buddha shrines
scattered around the island are visible evidence of this
neo-Burmese heritage.
The island is the site of a pottery industry. The rich clay soil
provides an ideal medium for the red terracotta earthenware pots
and water containers that were the mainstay of this economy.
Sadly, others elsewhere, produce alternatives at a cheaper price
and brick kilns have outlived their usefulness. Now the potters
have turned their attention to the tourists who visit the
island, usually on a Sunday in one of the large tour boats that
sail up river from Taksin Bridge. However, the rich soil also
supports a verdant landscape of palms, and fruit trees giving
the place a wonderfully tranquil and rural feel. As a visitor
you can walk around the island, hire a bicycle or zip quickly by
on one of several motor cycle taxis. It's quite a long walk,
just over 5 kilometers, but a wonderful one at that! The path
takes you under plantain tress with bunches of bananas
overhanging the walk way and down below limes, papayas, pomeloes
and all sorts of fruit I cannot identify grow in profusion.
For the really discerning travellers, there are rooms available
to rent a very reasonable Bt 200 per night. The KoKred
Restaurant has a verandah that juts out over the river. It is an
ideal venue to eat or just sit, sip a drink and watch the sand
barges and other water traffic as they glide by.
You don't need to take the big cruise boats, chock full of
tourists. Instead make you way to Victory Monument on the BTS.
This missile like structure, which commemorates the Indo-Chinese
War of 1940-41, serves as transport hub for Bangkok. Walk along
the arterial skyway, and below you will see a sea of bus stands.
Go as far as you can, descend and then wait for a 166 Bus. This
will take you to Pakkred by motorway, thus avoiding the worst of
the traffic jams. On reaching Pakkred, which is the terminus.
You alight obliquely opposite the TMB bank, walk straight ahead
until you encounter the motorcycle taxi-rank situated at the
rear entrance of Jusco. Mumble something about KoKred and the
driver will take you to the ferry stage at Wat Sana Nua. Enjoy
the trip!
Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same