When one hears the words Si Racha (sometimes spelled Sriracha) most often you’ll end up thinking of Si Racha, the famous Thai chili sauce, and not Si Racha, the district in Chonburi province , where the sauce was first invented and mass produced. While most kitchens in Thailand use Si Racha sauce almost on a daily bases, it’s actually worth spending a weekend to visit Si Racha at least once during your stay in Thailand.
Located 120 km southwest of Bangkok in Changwat Chonburi on the Gulf of Thailand, Si Racha is a buzzing industrial zone which brings a great contribution to the economy of the Kingdom. Actually, it is the second wealthiest area after Bangkok!
But Si Racha is not only a place to do and start a business. It’s also a great travel destination and on you next trip there, consider exploring the following five great outdoor experiences the district has to offer.
- Khao Kheaw Open Zoo (www.kkopenzoo.com)
Unlike most zoos in Thailand (and Asia), Khao Kheaw Open Zoo is more than just a zoo. Yes, there are 8.000 animals of more than 300 species to view and take selfies with, but the zoo offers much more. Apart from the more common educational and research facilities found elsewhere in Thailand too, the zoo also provides recreational areas. This basically means that you can have a picnic here!
A trip to this zoo will take at least half a day as there are so many areas to visit, including the African savanna section where you can feed the giraffes, visit the penguin aquarium, a butterfly garden, a big cats complex, and a walk-though aviary. Plus, a deer park will give you the chance, once again, to feed the bold deer who have no fear of coming up to you to take the food from your own hands.
The zoo is located on the outskirts of Si Racha in Tambon Bang Phra, in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains (the name of the zoo actually means “Green Mountain”). The zoo is open every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also visit the zoo at night by booking their After Dark service.
Sadly, they have a two-price system. Tickets for foreigners cost 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children while for Thai people they cost only 100 baht for adults and 20 baht for children. The entry fee includes two free animals shows but you’ll have to pay more to bring in your car or motorbike.
- Koh Loi
Koh Loi is a rocky island connected to the mainland by a long causeway which is very easy to find once you’re downtown Si Racha. It is advisable not to ride a tuk tuk or taxi all the way to the island but rather walk on the causeway. The view and sound of the sea, the gulls flying and crying in the sky, and the refreshing breeze will make the walk worth it.
Once you’ve reached the island, you can climb to the top of a small hill to visit Wat Koh Loi, ring the temple bells, and enjoy the panoramic view from one of its terraces. There are quite a few cats around, so if you’re a cat person there are many opportunities to feed them (don’t forget to bring cat food from home).
To recover from the effort of walking and climbing, sit down next to a small Chinese temple built on the island and enjoy the intricacy of its decorations and its vivid colors characteristic to Chinese religious architecture. A tall white statue of Mae Kuan Im will give you the opportunity to donate some money to the local temple.
For a small fee, you can also feed some giant turtles in an artificial pond found nearby as well as feed yourself with BBQ seafood. Before you leave, pose in front of a statue of two giant spearfish and of a marooned yacht!
- Seaside Park
On mainland, not far from the causeway leading to Koh Loi, you’ll find a well-maintained seaside public park called Surasak Montri. It is best to visit it in the late afternoon or evening when the sun is no longer in the sky. Whether you want to exercise on the free exercise machines installed in the park, go for a jog, take your children to the playground, or just go for a stroll, the park is a great location to wrap up your first day in Si Racha.
The road fronting the park is also full of restaurants, especially Japanese ones which cater to the Japanese businessman who work in the surrounding industrial areas. Around here you’ll also be able to find two-to-three star hotels to rest your bones after a long day out and about.
- Burapha Golf Club (www.buraphagolfthailand.com)
If the first day of your trip to Si Racha was mainly focused on enjoying and exploring the nature, on your second day, consider a visit to Burapha Golf Club. Here you can practice your swing on two 18-hole championship golf courses (links styled) designed by American-based Gary Panks Associates golf course architects.
The green fee is 2.700 baht (2.500 baht on weekdays) to which you have to add the caddy (350 baht) and golf cart (600 baht) fees. If you’re the only player in the group, your family or travel companions can chill out at the Club House and enjoy a cold drink. The golf club is located on Highway No.7.
Photo source: Paramotor Club Thailand
- Paramotor School Thailand (www.paramotorthailand.com)
To calm the spirits of your companions who are not into golfing, before you return home, head to Paramotor School Thailand for a more thrilling experience. Located in Tambon Nong Kham, this expat-run establishment will fulfill your need for an adrenaline rush before you get back to your 4-to-5 desk job.
Obviously, unless you’re trained on how to fly a paramotor, you’ll have to go for the tandem flight offer. No previous knowledge or experience of flying a paramotor or even of paragliding is needed as all you’ll need to do is sit tight in your harness and enjoy the amazing views from above.
For a 20-minute flight you’ll have to pay 2.400 baht, but if you think this is something you’d like to do in the future, you can consider coming back to their fly school and attending one of the courses they have on offer.
After such an invigorating and action packed weekend trip, you will surely return to your day job with an even greater passion for travel and exploration. The easiest way to reach Si Racha is by bus. Buses leave hourly from both the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai). If you drive, take the Bangkok-Chonburi motorway or the Bang Na-Trat Highway.
those sound awesome and some great pics, thanks for sharing