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