🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The best thing about Nonthaburi is how close it is. From central Bangkok you can take the MRT Purple Line, hop on a ferry, and be on Koh Kret without much fuss — perfect for a day off when you want a change of scenery but don't feel like driving far. We've planned this for a Saturday or Sunday, because the market side of Koh Kret (Pier 1, in front of Wat Poramai Yikawat) is busiest on weekends, with most shops open. Weekdays are quieter and some stalls stay shut, so if you're coming midweek, check ahead that the places you want to eat at are actually open.
The 1-day plan at a glance
- Late morning — Ferry across to Koh Kret, pay respects at Wat Poramai Yikawat, and graze the market for Mon snacks
- Midday — Lunch on the island, then drop by the Mon pottery village (Kwan Aman)
- Afternoon — Ferry back across to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, a Thai-Chinese temple on the Chao Phraya, and stroll the riverside park
- Evening — Dinner at a riverside spot around Pak Kret, watch the sunset over the river, and head home
Why we put Koh Kret in the late morning
The cross-river ferry between Wat Sanam Nuea and Wat Poramai Yikawat runs from early morning, but most of the market stalls on the island don't really get going until around 9–10am. Arriving a little later means you'll find everything open and the sun isn't too harsh yet — much nicer to walk around than in the late afternoon heat.
Book the activities in your Nonthaburi trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Hour-by-hour: how the day actually goes
Koh Kret, riverside temples and Chao Phraya dining
The food you have to try on this plan
The heart of a Nonthaburi trip is the food — both the Mon snacks on Koh Kret and the riverside restaurants on the city side. We've ranked these in roughly the order you'd want to try them across the day. Prices are approximate ranges and may shift depending on the shop and time of day.
Tod mun nor kala (Koh Kret)
Koh Kret's signature snack — fish cakes made with young bamboo shoots that give them a chewy-crisp bite quite unlike regular fish cakes. You'll find them at stalls all through the island market, and skipping them would be a real miss.
Fried flowers
Flowers dipped in batter and fried crisp — butterfly pea, ixora and frangipani all on offer — served with a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. A nice snack to nibble as you make your way through the market.
Traditional sweets and Mon desserts
The Koh Kret market has plenty of hard-to-find old-fashioned sweets, both Mon desserts and freshly made Thai ones. Great for snacking on the spot and for taking home as gifts.
Noodles and rice dishes on the island
Lunch is easy to find on the island, from noodle soups to made-to-order rice plates. Some places have a riverside section where you can sit and watch the boats go by — a good midday break.
Nonthaburi boat noodles
Nonthaburi is known for boat noodles — rich, concentrated broth and generous toppings. You can order several small bowls, and at these prices they make a great light meal or snack to slot into the day.
Riverside restaurants in Pak Kret (dinner)
Close out the day at a restaurant on the Chao Phraya, with everything from punchy Thai dishes to grilled prawns. Grab a table right by the water to watch the sunset — a great atmosphere for the last meal of the trip.
Rough budget for the whole day
For a no-frills day out and back, expect around 500–800 THB per person — covering the cross-river ferry (a few tens of baht), snacks on the island, lunch, bike rental, and a riverside dinner. Transport by MRT or taxi varies depending on where you start from.
Temples and riverside stops on this plan
Wat Poramai Yikawat
The Mon temple at the heart of Koh Kret, with its riverside leaning Mutao Pagoda as the signature landmark. Restored in the reign of King Rama V, it still holds onto its Mon character.
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawihan
A temple on the Chao Phraya on the Nonthaburi city side, its white ordination hall blending Thai and Chinese architecture. Built in the reign of King Rama III, with a riverside park next door to stroll.
Mon pottery village
Koh Kret is home to a community of potters working earthenware in traditional Mon patterns. You can watch the craft happen for real and pick up small pottery pieces as gifts.
Getting there: how to do it without a car
- MRT Purple Line — Get off at Yaek Nonthaburi 1 or Phra Nang Klao Bridge, then take a taxi or motorbike taxi to Wat Sanam Nuea pier in Pak Kret
- Ferry to Koh Kret — The Wat Sanam Nuea–Wat Poramai Yikawat crossing takes under 10 minutes. The fare is 3 THB per person during the day (5 THB in the evening), and ferries run often
- Driving yourself — There's a car park near the pier on the Pak Kret side. Weekends get crowded, so arriving a bit earlier makes finding a spot easier
- On Koh Kret — Walk, or rent a bike for a few tens of baht and loop the island in not much time. The paths are narrow concrete roads
Avoid the common mistake
The market side of Koh Kret is busiest on weekends; midweek, a lot of stalls are closed and it's quiet. If you come on a weekday, check ahead that the places you want to eat at are open, and be ready for a market that feels quieter than it looks in the reviews.
Want to stay overnight and take Nonthaburi at a slower pace? Check the hotels first
See the Top 10 Nonthaburi hotels →