Nonthaburi

Nonthaburi lies north of Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River, combining city amenities with calmer local life. As Thailand’s second-largest city, it draws visitors to places like Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat temple, Koh Kret Island’s pottery workshops, and riverside markets selling fresh produce. Trains like the MRT Purple and Pink Lines link it to Bangkok in minutes, yet its canals, fruit orchards, and residential streets feel separate from the capital’s pace. The city includes universities, vocational centers, and a prison, but also areas with trees and gardens where communities practice crafts like pottery and woodcarving.

Koh Kret: Pottery Workshops, Mon Cuisine, and Bike Paths

Koh Kret, a human-made island in the Chao Phraya River, highlights the culture of Thailand’s Mon ethnic group. Weekend markets here focus on terracotta pottery, where artisans shape clay using methods taught by their ancestors. Try Mon dishes such as khao chae—rice soaked in cool jasmine-scented water—or crispy fried snacks molded into floral shapes. Bicycles let you travel along narrow lanes past wooden houses and riverside workshops, while small boats can take you to parts of the island with fewer visitors. Visit early mornings or weekdays to avoid weekend crowds from Bangkok.

Temples with Colorful Tiles and Buddha Statues

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, constructed under King Rama III, is known for its chapel covered in ceramic tiles forming intricate flower designs. At Wat Sangkhathan across the river, you can meditate near carved wooden statues of Buddhist deities and browse shelves of ancient scriptures. Wat Khemaphirataram, established during the Ayutthaya era, holds a reclining Buddha statue in a riverside pavilion. These temples see few international visitors, so you might witness monks chanting during morning alms rounds or locals lighting incense without distractions.

Daily Markets with Fresh Food and River Views

Nonthaburi Market, near the city’s main boat pier, sells fruits, vegetables, and dried seafood at prices lower than central Bangkok. Come in the morning to try grilled pork skewers or sticky rice cooked inside bamboo stalks. By late afternoon, vendors arrange plastic tables along the riverwalk for dinners of fried noodles or spicy papaya salad. On weekends, Pak Kret Pier hosts pop-up stalls with secondhand clothes, succulents, and handmade jewelry.

Go-Kart Racing and Family Water Slides

Impact Speed Park in Bang Yai district has electric go-karts that reach 60 km/h on a winding 750-meter track. After racing, the nearby Breeze Café provides burgers, pasta, and views of boats docked at the marina. Fantasia Lagoon Water Park, atop Central Plaza Westgate mall, has slides, a wave pool, and shallow pools for children. The mall includes shops selling clothing and electronics, plus a cinema screening Thai and Hollywood movies.

Local History Exhibits and Cartoon Figurines

The Museum of Nonthaburi, inside a colonial-era building by the pier, exhibits Ayutthaya-era maps, farming tools, and ceramics. The Tooney Toy Museum in Pak Kret displays figurines of characters from Japanese anime, Disney films, and Marvel comics. Both museums take about an hour to visit, fitting easily into a day of exploring.

Parakeets Nesting in City Temples

Mueang Nonthaburi district shelters groups of Alexandrine and red-breasted parakeets, rare in Bangkok’s urban areas. These birds roost in tall trees at temples like Wat Suan Yai and Wat Ampawan, especially active during sunrise and sunset. Listen for their high-pitched calls and watch them peck at mango or guava trees. Monks often place bowls of water and rice near their living quarters, encouraging the parakeets to stay.

Getting to Nonthaburi by Train, Boat, or Road

The MRT Purple Line reaches Nonthaburi from Bangkok in 30 minutes, with stations close to Koh Kret and Central Plaza Westgate. Express boats on the Chao Phraya River stop at Nonthaburi Pier after passing landmarks like Wat Arun. Buses run along major roads such as Rattanathibet Road, though midday trips avoid traffic delays. For a direct route, take a taxi boat from Bangkok’s Sathorn Pier to Koh Kret in about 45 minutes.