Wat Chimphli Sutthawat

Wat Chimphli Sutthawat sits on Ko Kret, the artificial island in the Chao Phraya formed when a Rattanakosin-era canal was dug through a river bend, part of Nonthaburi province just north of Bangkok. There is no bridge — reach the temple by cross-river ferry from Wat Sanam Neua Pier on the Pak Kret mainland, or by longtail boat tour from Bangkok. Entry is free.

Built during the Ayutthaya period under the name Wat Pa Fai, the temple was restored and renamed during the reign of Rama II. Ko Kret has been a Mon settlement since Mon refugees fled here from Burmese incursions in the late 18th century, and the local Mon community still calls the temple Wat Phia To rather than its formal name — a reminder that Ko Kret’s Mon heritage runs through daily life here, not just museum displays. The ubosot (ordination hall) is widely regarded as the most elegant in Nonthaburi province: a twelve-sided design with four smaller chedis ringing the main stupa, carved and gilded doors, and Chinese-influenced statuary from the temple’s later restorations.

Ko Kret itself is best known for terracotta pottery workshops and Mon-style desserts sold along the island’s narrow lanes, and Wat Chimphli Sutthawat is a quieter stop compared to Wat Paramaiyikawat, the island’s largest and most-visited temple. Expect a working neighbourhood temple — locals making merit, monks going about daily routines — rather than a tour-bus stop.

Insider Tip: Pair this with a walk around Ko Kret itself — the pottery kilns and weekend food stalls are a short walk from the pier, and most boats loop past several temples on the island in one trip.

Watch out: There’s no road access and no vehicle bridge — don’t plan to drive here. Boat schedules on Ko Kret are more frequent on weekends than weekdays.

Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) and remove shoes before entering the ordination hall, as at any active Thai temple.