File:Nontaburi Ko Kret2.jpg

English: Situated in Pakkred district, Ko Kret is the only large island in between Bangkok and the former capital city, Ayutthaya. Its inception was a consequence of royal initiation of King Thai Sa to create a canal “Lad Kred Noi” in 1722, from a checkpoint for boats travelling upriver to Ayutthaya (southern part of the island) to Wat Pak Ao (now an area in front of Wat Poramai Yikawat), so as to shorten the transport distance. Later, erosion gradually caused the canal to become wider than the river, and the land in the middle of the river became this island, as a result.

This area was originally named “Ban Laem” after its topography – a peninsular, and was a historic site as during the fall of Ayutthaya kingdom it was used as a route to escape from a Burmese camp, from Ayutthaya to Thonburi.

The main population here is descendants of Mon immigrants settled in the island since the late Ayutthaya period. The other major settlement took place during the reign of King Rama II. Interesting and notable temples on the island include Wat Poramai Yikawat, Wat Chimplee Sutthawat, and Wat Pai Lom. After the end of Buddhist Lent, the locals will hold an annual waterborne merit making ceremony so called “Alms-giving to One Hundred Monks” - hundreds of Buddhist monks from many temples will travel by boat to receive offerings from people awaiting along the river.