Nonthaburi
ปากเกร็ด
Pak Kret is one of Thailand's most populous city municipalities, a dense riverside suburb on the Chao Phraya just north of Bangkok. Its five subdistricts mix housing estates, government offices and older riverside communities, and the municipality counts around fifteen Buddhist temples alongside churches, mosques and shrines. Wellbeing here is mostly everyday and local rather than resort-style: an early walk in the park, a Sunday morning at the temple, a weekend trip across the river.
Population
189,458
2020
Average temperature
28.9 °C
Rainy season
May – Oct
Worst air
Nov – Jan
PM2.5 (annual)
24.2 µg/m³
2019 · WHO guideline 5, Thai standard 15 µg/m³.
What sets Pak Kret apart is Ko Kret, the island formed in the early 18th century when a canal was dug to cut a bend in the river. It belongs to Pak Kret district (with its own subdistrict administration) and is home to a Mon community known for pottery. With no bridge, the short ferry ride from Wat Sanam Nuea pier, slow lanes and a leaning Mon chedi give it a markedly calmer rhythm than the mainland.
On the mainland, Wat Chonlaprathan Rangsarit in Bang Talat has a long association with Dhamma teaching and draws regular visitors for its Sunday morning gatherings, while the large Srinagarindra park on Si Saman Road is where residents come to move and breathe before and after work. Practitioners of reiki or acupuncture in Pak Kret usually serve local residents and commuters to Bangkok's northern districts.
Temples, schools, parks and clinics open to the public, checked against public sources.
Wat Chonlaprathan Rangsarit
Temple · Bang Talat, off Tiwanon Road
A royal temple founded in 1959 by the Royal Irrigation Department and long led by the teacher Panyananda Bhikkhu. Visitors come to study and sit quietly; on Sunday mornings from 9:00 there is chanting, a Dhamma talk and almsgiving, and the grounds are calm on other days.
Wat Paramai Yikawat (Ko Kret)
Temple · Ko Kret island, by ferry from Wat Sanam Nuea pier
A Mon-style temple rebuilt in 1774 by Mon settlers, known for its leaning white chedi at the corner of the island. Entry is free; it is a quiet place to sit by the river before or after walking the island's pottery lanes.
Suan Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park, Nonthaburi
Park · Ban Mai, Si Saman Road
A 103-rai public park with a running track, exercise equipment and a shaded waterside pavilion. Residents of all ages come here to exercise in the early morning and evening; it is a good spot for a quiet walk or seated breathing practice in the shade.
There is no dedicated reiki centre we could verify in Pak Kret; reiki here is mostly offered by independent practitioners, by appointment, in home studios or small wellness spaces. Thai is the usual language, so check in advance if you need a session in English.
Temples are the natural starting point. Wat Chonlaprathan Rangsarit in Bang Talat holds chanting and a Dhamma talk on Sunday mornings from 9:00 and is quiet on other days, while the riverside temples of Ko Kret suit a calm half-day of walking and sitting. Instruction is usually in Thai, so bring an open mind and follow what others do.
In Thailand acupuncture may only be performed by a licensed practitioner: a medical doctor who has completed acupuncture training, or a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Before booking in Pak Kret, ask the clinic for the practitioner's licence and check that needles are single-use.
Wat Chonlaprathan Rangsarit in Bang Talat welcomes visitors daily and holds chanting and a Dhamma talk on Sunday mornings from 9:00. For a quieter outing, the temples of Ko Kret, such as Wat Paramai Yikawat, are pleasant places to sit by the river.
Ko Kret is a subdistrict of Pak Kret district with its own local administration, just across the river from the city centre. It is reached by a short ferry ride from Wat Sanam Nuea pier.
Only licensed practitioners: medical doctors trained in acupuncture or licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Ask to see the licence before your first session.
Readings for Pak Kret show the highest fine-dust levels in the cool season, from about November to January. On high-PM2.5 days, move outdoor practice indoors or keep it short.
Suan Somdet Phra Srinagarindra park on Si Saman Road in Ban Mai covers 103 rai and is used for exercise every morning and evening, with a running track and shaded areas by the water.
Information checked against public sources on 2026-10-24. Details change: confirm schedules before you go.