Thailand
Bangkok - Day 3 (Koh Kret)
For a relaxing escape from the energy of Bangkok, we spent a day on Koh Kret, a small, manmade island known for its local charm and laid-back vibe. The island is best visited on the weekend, when it comes alive with a vibrant market full of food stalls, crafts, and handmade goods. Highlights of the day included: *Roasting and brewing our own coffee at a cozy café, a hands-on and delicious experience. *Joining a pottery workshop at Pa Tum Pottery Factory to try our hand at making Mon-style ceramics (known for their intricate carvings). *Indulging in kanom tuay, a classic Thai dessert made with coconut milk, with a creamy texture and a sweet-salty balance. We had it at Kanom Tuay Country, a charming dessert shop with a stylish interior. *Biking around the island for just 50 baht a day, allowing us to discover quiet paths, scenic corners, and riverside views. Koh Kret felt worlds away from the buzz of the city—authentic, creative, and quite peaceful. Definitely a must-visit.
Getting there
We started our journey at the nearest pier to our hotel—Si Phraya Pier—and hopped on the Chao Phraya Express Boat heading to Nonthaburi. This riverboat is not only a popular and scenic way to travel in Bangkok, but also incredibly affordable. From Nonthaburi, you have two main options to get to Koh Kret: Option 1: Take a small tourist boat directly to Koh Kret with a private driver. The round-trip option (with about 3 hours to explore the island) costs around 1,200 THB. Since we wanted more time on the island, we chose a one-way trip instead, which cost 600 THB. Option 2: Use the Grab app (Thailand’s version of Uber, highly recommended) to catch a taxi from Nonthaburi Pier to Wat Sanam Nuea. From there, you can take a short local ferry across the river to Koh Kret for just a few baht (I think 9 baht or something). We used this route for our return journey, taking the ferry back to the mainland and then grabbing a taxi back to our hotel.
Coffee roasting at Cuamue Coffee & Gallery
We stumbled upon a charming little coffee bar and were instantly drawn in by the sight of people roasting their own coffee—it looked like so much fun, we had to try it ourselves. For around 300 baht, you get to go through the full process: roasting, grinding, straining, and brewing your own coffee (enough for about four cups). Since we’d never done this before, it was both fun and fascinating to experience each step hands-on. We weren’t left to figure it out on our own either—the friendly owner regularly checked in to guide us and make sure we were on track. The best part? Sitting down to enjoy the coffee we had made ourselves. It turned out to be surprisingly delicious—rich in flavor, smooth, and not at all bitter. Definitely one of the most memorable coffee experiences we’ve had!
Pottery baking
Koh Kret is especially known for its traditional Mon pottery, recognizable by its intricate hand-carved designs. We tried our hand at it with a pottery-making session at Pa Tum Pottery Factory, which cost just 100 baht per person. You can either call ahead to reserve a spot or simply drop by and put your name on the waiting list. When it’s nearly your turn, they’ll give you a call—or you can just hang out nearby. There’s a small backyard café where you can enjoy a drink or some noodles while you wait. The pottery-making itself is a fun, hands-on experience that lasts about 10–15 minutes, guided by a helpful instructor. Once you’ve shaped your piece, it needs at least 30 minutes to dry. During that time, you’re free to explore more of Koh Kret. Keep in mind: your pottery won’t be kiln-fired, so while it will dry a bit, it won’t be fully hardened or usable. Proper firing takes several weeks—something we didn’t have time for, since we were leaving the next day. Even though we couldn’t take home a finished piece, the creative process itself made it totally worthwhile.
Kanom Tuay
While exploring Koh Kret, make sure to stop by Kanom Tuay Country for a taste of khanom tuay, one of Thailand’s classic and delicious desserts. This traditional treat is made with coconut milk and features a sweet bottom layer and a salty top, all with a creamy, custard-like texture. Even better, it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free. The café itself is cozy and inviting, with a stylish interior that makes it a great place to relax and recharge during your day on the island.
Weekend Market
If you're planning a visit to Koh Kret, the weekend is the best time to go. That’s when the island comes alive with its vibrant weekend market, full of local food stalls, crafts, and handmade goods. While Koh Kret is open on weekdays too, there’s much less activity, and many of the shops and bars/restaurants may be closed. What I loved most about Koh Kret was its local charm and laid-back atmosphere. Even with the market in full swing, it never felt overcrowded—and we hardly saw any other tourists. It was calm, authentic, and a refreshing contrast to the hustle of Bangkok. The weekend market on Koh Kret is easy to find. If you arrive by ferry from Wat Sanam Nuea, the market begins almost as soon as you step off the boat. It winds through several of the island’s small streets, including those where you’ll find the charming Kanom Tuay Country dessert shop and the Pa Tum Pottery Factory. To explore more of the island, we rented a bike for just 50 baht per day, which made it easy to discover quiet paths, riverside views, and hidden corners. If you're looking for a peaceful getaway that feels worlds away from Bangkok’s modern buzz, Koh Kret is my top recommendation.
