Tired of the attractions of Pattaya and want to see the real Thailand? Go to the small town of Siracha! The famous hot chili sauce is made here, there is the Tiger Zoo and an island where tourists from China like to come.
Siraca - a town by the sea
This seaside town has many names. If you were in Thailand, you probably remembered how Thais invite passers-by to massage parlors - mista-a-a-massai or apologize - salt... A similar distortion has received the name "Shri Raja" - "holy or venerable lord." In Thai pronunciation, Si Racha became Sirachai, Srirachai, or rather Srirachai, with an implicit emphasis on the last syllable.
There used to be a tiny fishing village on the site of Sirachi. A small railway was built in it. Logs from logging sites were transported along a narrow-gauge railway to the sea. In the 1930s, the settlement began to grow and turned into a city.
Today Siraca covers an area of 4 square meters. km. It is home to about 20 thousand people. Most of them are Thais, but at least a third of the population are Japanese - specialists who work in the port and at the enterprises of Chonburi province.
Walking the streets
It is pleasant to walk around Sirach just like that, idle. Near the coast, old wooden houses have been preserved, in which they have been living for a hundred or more years. Thai dwelling on stilts looks especially colorful.
Stylish skyscrapers - hotels and condominiums, modern shopping centers, small shops and markets - rise nearby. The city has a Protestant church, a beautiful Taoist temple, and several Buddhist wads.
There are many signs with Japanese characters in the center. This is understandable - the Japanese community in Sirach is large. You can buy Japanese products and taste real Japanese delicacies because chefs from the Land of the Rising Sun work here.
Do you know how to tell a Japanese from a Thai on the streets of Shirachi? You don't even need to look closely at the cut of the eyes and clothes. Unlike the Japanese and us Russians, Thais practically do not sweat in the heat.
Tiger Zoo in Sirac
Tourists from Pattaya are well known for the Sirachi Tiger Zoo. Siracha Tiger Zoo is located on the eastern outskirts of the town, 9.5 km from Sukhumvit.
How to get to the zoo... A bus tour from Pattaya to the Tiger Zoo costs 750 baht. If you want to go yourself, get off at Sukhumvit and get into any minivan that goes towards Bangkok. Tell the driver to drop you off at the Robinson Shopping Center in Sirach: 13.167528, 100.931171. From there, it is easy to get to the zoo by three-wheeled tuk-tuk for 150 baht or taxi - 200 baht. Make an agreement with the driver, and at the right time he will bring you back.
A ticket to the zoo costs 450 baht for an adult and 250 baht for a child. Babies up to 100 cm tall are allowed free of charge.
Health park
To feel like in a small paradise, you don't have to sail to tropical islands. On the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, in Sirac, there is a small Health Park - Surasak Montri Public Park... Locals come here to run along the paths and work out on the simulators.
If you come to Thailand with a child, go to Shirachi Park to play in the playground and feed the squirrels. There are many of them here, and nimble squirrels willingly take the treat from their hands. In the center of the park, on the seashore, a small sandy beach was recently built.
Loy Island
At 500 meters from the coast you can see Ko Loi - in Thai "float island". A modern, recently renovated road bridge leads here. During Thai holidays, the entire roadway is forced to trade stalls with toys, food and clothing.
At the entrance to Ko Loi, there is a fountain with sculptures of marlin - symbols of Sirachi. In the center of the island, on a stone hill, a Buddhist wat rises, and at its foot there are several Chinese sanctuaries. The area around looks like a beautiful park - flowering trees, bushes and benches for those who want to sit and watch the sunset.
Several years ago, there was a pond on Ko Loe with large sea turtles. Thais came to feed the turtles and watch them lay their eggs in the sand. During the reconstruction, the turtles were moved to the nursery, but over time they are planned to return to Siraca.
Xichang Island
Another attraction of Sirachi is located in the Gulf of Thailand - 11 km from the city. Colorful wooden boats with the proud name ferry sail to Koh Sichang from 7:00 to 20:00 - once an hour. One way travel costs 50 baht.
Koh Si Chang is a special island! It is inhabited by ethnic Chinese. On the mountain there is a temple complex with caves and Buddhist shrines, where many Chinese tourists come on weekends. On weekdays, Ko Sichang pleases with peace and quiet. White squirrels live in the branches of trees, and black domestic pigs can be seen in the thickets of bushes.
The rocky island has a small beach with clear water, a free Sea Museum and aquariums with the inhabitants of the Gulf of Thailand. On the site where the summer residence of King Rama V used to be, a luxurious park is laid out. Several old buildings have survived on the shore. The teak palace of the Thai monarch was dismantled and moved to Bangkok. Only a stone foundation remained on the island.
Ko Sichang is a great alternative to Ko Lan. Even better! There are many small hotels and guesthouses, shops, restaurants and cafes on this island, and there are almost no tourists.
Wat on the mountain
One of the remarkable remakes of Sirachi is a temple, a large Buddha statue and a magnificent observation deck on the mountain. We saw many interesting places in Thailand, but the view from Khao Phra Khru Viewpoint was striking to the core. From here you can see the whole Siracha, the golden roofs of the temples, a large stretch of the coast, the islands of Ko Loi and Ko Sichang. Coordinates: 13.157757, 100.926115.
The observation deck has two levels. Between the open mouths of two dragons is a crystal ball 40 cm in diameter, in which the entire city is reflected upside down. A flock of wild macaques lives on a forested mountain. Don't forget to bring bananas or peanuts for them!
A large religious complex is never empty. Thais bring offerings here, pray and converse with monks. The scenic area at the foot of the Buddha statue is used for group meditations.
How to get to the observation deck in Sirach. From Sukhumvit you can walk by road. We were too lazy to climb the steep climb in the heat and hired a tuk-tuk near the Robinson shopping center. For 100 baht, the driver drove us to the very top. Down to Sukhumvit already descended on foot.
View from the observation deck
Siracha sauce
What souvenir to bring from Sirachi and from Thailand in general? Of course, the famous hot chili sauce, which is known and loved all over the world. It was invented by a resident of Sirachi, Madame La Orr Suvanprasop. Since 1932, she started selling delicious sauce in Bangkok. Many chefs have appreciated it and started using it in their restaurants.
Bottles with Siracha sauce are sold in the city's shops, Robinson and Atara Mall. You don't have to waste time looking for sauce in Siracha itself! It is easy to buy at any supermarket in Pattaya.
How to get to Shirachi from Pattaya
It is not profitable to go by taxi - a one-way trip costs from 400 baht. On a rented bike, you will reach the place in half an hour. If you are looking for public transport, there are two options.
From the northern outskirts of Pattaya - Banglamung, white songteos go to the Sirachi market. The fare is 30 baht. We boarded the songteo near Sukhumvit: 12.970055, 100.910763.
Another option is to get to Sirachi by minivans that run from Pattaya towards Bangkok. It will cost a little more - 60 baht.
