the island dates only to 1722 when a canal was constructed as a shortcut to bypass a bend in the Om kret branch of the Chao Phraya river As the canal was widened several times the section cut off eventually became a separate island The island continues to serve as a refuge to the Mon tribes who dominated central thailand between the 6th and 10th centuries and have retained a distinct identity in their version of Buddhism and particularly at Ko Kret their pottery