Way of Life
Mon people began to migrate east to Siam during the reign of King Naresuan the Great of Ayutthaya. The exodus continued well into the Rattanakosin period. King Taksin the Great sent his men to bring back Phraya Jeng, a senior Mon official in the court of Ayutthaya, and other Mon people who had been taken as prisoners during the fall of Ayutthaya. The King wished them to settle in the areas that are today parts of Amphoe Sam Khok in Pathum Thani. Ko Kret already had a Mon language. This temple is now called Wat Paramaiyikawat, or “Piamu Kia Toeng” in Mon language. It was at the start of the Amazing Thailand tourism campaign of 1998-1999 that government support quickly poured in, to help bring the customs and traditions of the Mon of Ko Kret back to life. The campaign helped bring back the art of pottery – making and also tourism to Ko Kret.