:: Wat Suan Kaeo

Wat Suan Kaeo is a Buddhism diffusion centre. An innovative monk named Phra Phisal Dhamma Phati or Phra Phayom Kanlayano has initiated several projects for the Suan Kaeo Foundation. The Foundation aims to upgrade living standards of the poor and to develop society. Successful projects include the Rom Pho Kaeo, the shelter for the elderly, the supermarket for the poor, and the Suan Kaeo nursery projects. For donation and tours, contact tel. 0-2595-1444.

Getting there: The temple is reached by driving over Phra Nang Klao Bridge, turn left at the second intersection for 2 kilometres. Taking no.63 bus from Victory Monument is also another way to the peaceful temple.


:: Pak Kret

Ko Kret island in the Chao Phraya River was created from the digging of a canal around a cape of the Chao Phraya River. In 1722, during the reign of King Thaisa of Ayutthaya, the island was called "Khlong Lat Kret Noi” which means a shortcut to Kret canal. Later, the current diverted, making the canal larger and turning the cape there into an island.

Ko Kret has prospered since the Ayutthaya period as evident from the many temples on the island that are from that period. However, it may have been deserted when the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya. When Ayutthaya was reclaimed, King Taksin the Great relocated the Mon people who found religion here. The Mon people on the island came during the Thon Buri period and during the reign of King Rama II.

A bicycle is the best transportation mode on the island.

Attractions on Ko Kret :

Wat Poramai Yikawat or Wat Pak Ao has many interesting things to see. There is a small castle with a five-tiered roof at the temple's landing. It used to house a Mon coffin of a former abbot.

The fascinating convocation hall is decorated with items imported from Italy, a style that was popular during the reign of King Rama V. The king wished to preserve some of the traditional ways and commanded that this temple have prayers in the Mon language. Nowadays this temple is the only one that keeps the Buddhist scripture in this language. The main Buddha image here is in the Man Wichai posture, the work of Prince Praditsathanworakan who also made the Siam Thewathirat Buddha image. King Rama V praised this image's beauty because its face seems alive. Another Mon characteristic here is the Mon-style pagoda that is a replica of Phra That Chedi Mutao in Hongsawadi that is highly revered by all Mons and houses the holy relics of Lord Buddha.

The chapel enshrines a reclining Buddha of the late Ayutthaya period that is decorated with striking mural paintings of royal insignias drawn by Prince Prawit Xumsai. Behind the building is a Buddha image of the province called "Phra Nonthamunin” from the late Ayutthaya period in the meditation posture on a Mon pedestal (Chong Phara) made by local artisans. In front of the building is a marble Buddha image that Sang Sew Sun, a Burmese, presented to King Rama V. The building is open daily during 08.30-16.30 hrs.

The museum exhibits artifacts that include earthen Buddha image, glassware, porcelain, and the "Hem” in particular. The Hem, a Mon-style coffin, which was made by Colonal Chatwat Ngamniyom, is considered a masterpiece of art. Its superb design and aluminum plate carving have been delicately done. It is believed that the Mons had copied the coffin style of Lord Buddha, which had a straight base, wide top, and narrow sides. The drawing of this coffin is shown in the museum. The Hem usually contains a dry corpse. A monk's Hem has a window for onlookers to see the corpse inside.

 


Wat Tamnak Tai
is an old temple located on Sanambin Nam road, Mu 4, Tambon Tha Sai. At one time, the area was a temporary stopover of King Thonburi. The remains indicate that the vihara and the bell hall were constructed in 1824 during the reign of King Rama III. The Man Wichai Buddha image from the Sukhothai period is enshrined in the chapel.

Wat Ku is on the bank of the Chao Phraya in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Phut, 4 kms. from Amphoe Pak Kret. It was constructed by the Mon people during the reign of King Taksin the Great. There is a building constructed to commemorate King Rama V's Queen Sunantha who drowned in a shipwreck. The building had taken the model of a pavilion in the Bang Pa-In Palace.

The Mon mural paintings showing Lord Buddha's biography can be seen in the old chapel. A large reclining Buddha lies in front of Queen Sunantha's boat that was salvaged and brought here. Getting there: From Pak Kret Pier turn left to Soi Wat Ku, and drive along Sukha Prachasan Road, pass Bang Phut Nok temple, Suan Thip, Si Thai Doem Restaurant, and Wat Ku will be seen on the left. The route is 3 kilometres. Chartered boats from Pak Kret Pier to the north of Wat Ku take 10 minutes and Wat Ku Pier will be seen on the right.

Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit is a peaceful temple located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Talat, Amphoe Pak Kret on the Nonthaburi-Ha Yaek Pak Kret Road. Its multi-purpose bamboo shade compound is always popular with Buddhists who come to offer food to the monks and listen to the sermons given by the abbot, Phra Thep Wisutthi Methi (Panya Nandha Bhikku).