Koh Lat

Ko Lat is a river island in the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao province’s Khlong Khuean district, reached only by a short ferry crossing — there’s no bridge. The island formed when a shortcut canal (“khlong lat,” the source of the name) was dug to cut across a bend in the river, back when water routes were the main way to travel this part of the country.

The island’s single village, Ban Kao, is a working farming community rather than a tourist set-piece. The one attraction most visitors come for is Wat Puttapromyan — the only temple on Ko Lat, known for its silver-toned, two-tiered ordination hall rising straight out of the riverbank. Beyond the temple grounds, the island is quiet: a scattering of houses, orchards, and river frontage, with the everyday rhythm of a farming community going about its business rather than a curated village experience.

Watch out: There’s no bridge to Ko Lat and no fixed public transport — you’re relying on a ferry crossing that runs during set hours and can pause during high water. Don’t plan a trip out here on a tight schedule without confirming the crossing is running.

The ferry departs from a mainland pier in Bang Talat subdistrict; the crossing itself takes only a few minutes and costs around 20 THB. Once you’re across, walking is the only way to get around — there’s no vehicle access to speak of. Weekends bring more boat traffic and a livelier temple, since local families use the crossing to make merit together; weekdays are noticeably quieter.

Insider Tip: Combine the trip with Bang Khla Floating Market a short drive away — both sit on this same stretch of the Bang Pakong and work well as one half-day loop out from Chachoengsao town.

Bring cash for the ferry and any small purchases, wear shoes suited to walking on uneven riverside paths, and dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) if you’re visiting the temple. This isn’t a floating market or a floating village — it’s dry, solid ground on an island shaped by a dug canal, with river views on every side.