How to explore Sri Racha

Sri Racha is quite a sleepy little coastal town where travellers seem to just want to relax by the beach or indulge in great cuisine. The Sri Racha sauce came from here and that’s how the place earned a spot on the map. Discovering Sri Racha means learning about the beginnings of the sauce and things to see around the town.

Sri Racha Sauce

This sauce is sold on the shelves of supermarkets in any part of the world. Surely, you’ve seen it at your store close to home as well? It comes well packed in a bottle that has a picture of a chicken on it and is sold by the Vietnamese – American company called Huy Fong. The owner of the company, an American man was returning home with other refugees on a ship named Heuy Fong from Vietnam when he brought the recipe with him. Thus, the company is named after the ship today.

Tracing the sauce back to its roots, Sri Racha sauce which is famous the world over today had its beginnings in Thailand. Despite the Vietnamese names and whatnot, the sauce originated in Sri Racha town in the province of Chonburi which is 120 kilometres from Bangkok. The Burmese workers in the sawmill would pound ingredients together using a pestle and mortar and try it among themselves before selling it to customers.

Changing times and tastes

The initial sauce that is still used today in Thailand gives a tangy flavour to it. Sri Racha sauce Thai style is almost lost today. On the other hand, there are so many American varieties that aren’t even close to the original taste. Some of the sauces are even aged in whisky barrels. The sauces produced now are milder and tend to be on the sour or sweet and sour side.

Neighbouring cities

Although Sri Racha is a somewhat sleepy town, this is not the case for its neighbouring cities. Don’t forget to visit Chonburi which is the capital of the province as it offers a selection of attractive beaches. Another famous place is Pattaya that is about 30km south of Sri Racha. Pattaya is known for its thriving nightlife and entertainment. Koh Si Chang is another island nearby offering a welcoming retreat with cultural monuments to explore such as the Royal Summer Palace and so much more.

Exploring Sri Racha today

Although you will definitely find an apartment for rent in Sriracha on your holiday, you’ll find that the town is really underdeveloped in comparison to Chonburi as a whole and Pattaya. Still, there are very few things that one can do here besides tasting the sauce.

Koh Loi is a small island off the shores of Sri Racha and is worth a visit if what you need is some peace and quiet. There is an old Chinese temple here to explore and a beach full of turtles where you can lounge and laze around in the heat of the day.

Sri Racha Tiger Zoo is another place then you ought to visit. The zoo is home to over 400 tigers and the most amazing part is that they live in harmony with pigs. It is simply amazing to watch. They also have crocodiles and elephants here. For those who want to explore more wildlife, head over to Khao Kheow Open Zoo which is just a 35-minute drive away from Somerset Harbourview Sri Racha. The zoo shelters 300 species here and even offers a night safari.

If you’ve got a sense of adventure, then opt to visit the zip-lining park for some thrills or stop by the 5-tiered Chanta Ten waterfall. The essence of natural beauty in Thailand can be seen right here.