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Pathum Thani–Nonthaburi Trip
Chao Phraya River + Koh Kret

Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi sit right next to each other along the Chao Phraya River, less than half an hour apart by car, so they pair up neatly into one weekend trip. Day one you wander the old markets and riverside temples on the Pathum Thani side and stay one night; day two you cross over to catch the ferry around Koh Kret in Nonthaburi, eat Thai sweets and pick up Mon pottery. This is a real plan with times, prices and how to get there — adjust it to how much walking you're up for.

🛶 Along the Chao Phraya🏺 Koh Kret Mon community🍡 Old markets + Thai sweets
Pathum Thani–Nonthaburi Trip Chao Phraya River + Koh Kret

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

These two provinces ring the edge of Bangkok and plenty of people drive straight through without ever stopping — even though the riverbank from Sam Khok to Pak Kret still has old communities, century-old markets, Mon temples and a car-free island sitting in the middle of the river. The appeal is that it's so close to Bangkok yet the mood shifts completely. This trip is set up to travel easy, no rushing, leaning into the riverside and local food.

Weekends only

Many old markets open only on weekends and public holidays — Talat Rahaeng 100-Year Market and Talat Ing Nam Sam Khok run Saturday–Sunday and on holidays, and Koh Kret is busiest on weekends too. Come on a weekday and a lot of stalls are shut, so plan the trip around the weekend.

Trip overview and getting around

Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi are about 22 km apart — normally a 25–40 minute drive depending on traffic. The easiest route is the Bang Pa-in–Pak Kret Expressway, or Tiwanon Road which runs along the river. No car? Take the MRT Purple Line (Khlong Bang Phai–Tao Poon) and get off around Nonthaburi, then switch to a bus or taxi to reach the sights. For Koh Kret you can only get across by ferry.

  • Private car — easiest for this trip since the sights are spread out along the river. Parking is available at the temples and markets, around 20–30 THB.
  • Koh Kret — park at Wat Sanam Nuea (Pak Kret), then take the ferry across to Wat Poramai Yikawat pier. The ferry is 3 THB per person and temple parking runs about 30 THB.
  • Public transport — buses link Rangsit–Pak Kret–Nonthaburi, such as lines 367, 1009 and 359. Workable, but allow extra time.
  • Overnight — stay on the Pathum Thani/Rangsit side the first night, then drive down to Pak Kret on the morning of day two. It's a short hop, so you won't tire yourself out.
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Day 1 — The Chao Phraya, Pathum Thani side

Day one stays on the Pathum Thani side, focused on the old markets and riverside temples around the Mueang and Sam Khok districts. Easy walking, no long drives, and you finish the day with a famous Rangsit boat-noodle spot.

Day 1

Old markets & riverside temples, Pathum Thani

08:30
Leave your hotel/Bangkok and head for Lat Lum Kaeo districtBeat the weekend-morning traffic by setting off before 9 a.m.
09:30
Talat Rahaeng 100-Year Market — walk the old wooden market along the Rahaeng canalOpen Sat–Sun 09:00–17:00, with old-style snacks, Thai sweets and vintage coffee shops — great for that retro look in photos
11:30
Grab lunch in the market, or at an old-timer shop around Lat Lum KaeoTry noodles, khanom chin, or a local rice-and-curry shop, from about 40–60 THB
13:00
Head to Sam Khok district — stop at Wat Sing to see the Mon water-jar kilns and the old reclining BuddhaSam Khok is an old Mon community, with traces of its pottery-making still on show
14:30
Talat Ing Nam Sam Khok — a small riverside community market on the Chao PhrayaOpen Sat–Sun and holidays 09:00–15:00. Simple, friendly vibe with local snacks
16:00
Rest at a riverside or garden cafe, such as Prem Cafe in the GardenA cafe set in a green garden with a riverside zone — sip a coffee and catch the cool breeze
18:00
Dinner — Rangsit boat noodles, old-school recipe (Pa Nom, the longtime shop)A longtime boat-noodle shop in the Rangsit area, small bowls at gentle prices — easy to order several
19:30
Check in to your hotel around Rangsit/Mueang Pathum ThaniStaying near Rangsit makes getting around easy, and on day two it's a 30–40 minute drive down to Pak Kret

A note on the old markets

The wooden markets have fairly narrow walkways and get crowded in the afternoon on weekends. If you want nice, uncrowded photos, go before 11 a.m. — the sun isn't harsh yet and the crowds haven't built up.

Day 2 — Koh Kret, the Mon island in the river

Day two crosses over to the Nonthaburi side, and the highlight is Koh Kret — a car-free island in the middle of the Chao Phraya that you reach by ferry. Walk or cycle around the island, see the Mon temples, taste Thai sweets and deep-fried flowers, and buy pottery to take home.

Day 2

Ferry over to Koh Kret

08:30
Pack up, check out and drive down to Pak KretGo early to dodge the crowds — Koh Kret gets packed from late morning through the afternoon on weekends
09:30
Park at Wat Sanam Nuea and take the ferry across to Wat Poramai Yikawat pierThe ferry is 3 THB per person and temple parking runs about 30 THB; ferries run frequently
09:45
Wat Poramai Yikawat — pay respects and see the Mutao chedi (the leaning stupa)The leaning Mon-style stupa is the island's symbol, and there's a Thai pottery exhibition hall to look around
10:45
Rent a bike to ride around the island, or stroll the markets along the pathBike rental is around 50 THB — ride around the island to see local life, fruit orchards and pottery workshops
11:30
Taste the must-try food — deep-fried flowers and Thai sweets at Chomphu shopDeep-fried flowers are the island's signature, while the Thai-sweets shop has cha mongkut, thong ek and animal-shaped alua — cute to buy as gifts
12:30
Lunch — Mon food or a riverside spot on the islandTry the no kala (galangal-shoot) fritters, khao chae, or noodles at a riverside shop, at standard market prices
14:00
Stop by Pa Tum's pottery workshop / Wat Phai LomWatch jars and earthenware being thrown in the Raman (Mon) style, and pick up a small pot or home decor piece
15:30
Take the ferry back to the Pak Kret side, catching riverside shots in the afternoonIf you've still got energy, stop at Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat by the Chao Phraya before heading off — a calm spot
16:30
Head homeFrom Pak Kret it's easy to get into Bangkok or home — avoid leaving in the Sunday-evening window when traffic starts to build

Make the most of Koh Kret

Wear comfortable walking shoes — the paths on the island are narrow concrete walkways, watch for pedestrians when cycling, and bring cash, since plenty of small shops still don't take transfers. Most snacks are sold by the piece or in small packs, so you can try lots without spending much.

Rough budget per person (2 days, 1 night)

  • 1 night's stay — a hotel/resort around Rangsit–Pathum Thani, roughly 700–1,500 THB (cheaper split between two)
  • Food for 2 days — main meals plus market snacks, about 400–700 THB
  • Ferry, parking, bike rental — all in, no more than 100 THB
  • Fuel/tolls — driving your own car from Bangkok, around 200–400 THB per trip
  • Souvenirs — Thai sweets, pottery, up to you, from 100 THB and up

All in, this trip lands at roughly 1,500–3,000 THB per person if two of you drive and share one room — a near-Bangkok trip that isn't pricey, giving you both riverside culture and local food.

Tweak the plan to your style

Day trip

Day trip only

If you've only got one day, just do Koh Kret on its own — go in the morning, back in the evening, and you can cover the temples, markets and food all in a day.

Chill & photos

Cafe & photo route

Add a few more riverside and garden cafes around Pathum Thani, lean into sitting back and shooting photos, and trim the temples a bit.

Family

With the family

Kids will love the ferry ride and cycling around the island, and you could swing by one more kid-friendly spot in Pathum Thani before heading back.

Want a full plan for each province? Start with the Pathum Thani guide

See the Pathum Thani travel guide →

FAQ

When's the best day to do this Pathum Thani–Nonthaburi trip?

Go on a Saturday–Sunday or a public holiday, since Talat Rahaeng 100-Year Market and Talat Ing Nam Sam Khok open only on weekends, and Koh Kret is liveliest with the most shops open on weekends too. Come on a weekday and a lot of spots will be quiet or closed.

Do you have to take a ferry to Koh Kret, and how much is it?

Koh Kret is a car-free island in the middle of the river, so you have to take a ferry across. The popular option is to park at Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret and ferry over to Wat Poramai Yikawat pier. The ferry is 3 THB per person and temple parking runs about 30 THB.

Can I do this trip without a private car?

Yes, but allow extra time. Take the MRT Purple Line to around Nonthaburi, then switch to a bus or taxi — there are bus lines linking Rangsit–Pak Kret–Nonthaburi, such as 367, 1009 and 359. For the easiest time covering sights spread along the river, a private or rental car is more convenient.

What food shouldn't I miss on Koh Kret?

Deep-fried flowers are the island's signature, and there are Thai-sweets shops like Chomphu making auspicious sweets such as cha mongkut and thong ek, plus cute animal-shaped alua you can buy as gifts. There's also Mon food and riverside shops for lunch.

What's the budget for this 2-day, 1-night trip?

If two of you drive and share one room, you can keep it to roughly 1,500–3,000 THB per person, covering one night's stay, two days of food, ferry and parking, and fuel — a near-Bangkok trip that isn't pricey.

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