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