I’ll start by addressing the elephant room: Sriracha sauce does indeed come from Si Racha, Thailand (which, in Thai, is spelled ศรีราชา – Sriracha). But that’s not why you should go there.
Indeed, part of the reason I spend as much time in Si Racha as I do is because I’m married to someone from there. I also don’t think a drastic step like that is necessary in order to appreciate the city, though if you meet the right person then…well, why not?
So, why is Si Racha worth visiting? That’s the core question I hope to answer in this post, hopefully not contaminated too much by talk of hot sauce or details of my own personal life.
Why I Spend So Much Time In Si Racha
I’ve never really had a chance to ask myself if Si Racha was worth visiting. Although I did briefly stop here way back in 2010, most of my time in the city has taken place since January 2022, when I met my now-husband (who hails from there). I’ve spent countless nights at his family’s home just south of the town center, and for the most part, have seen Si Racha from the perspective of a local.
However, I am not a local—and I am a travel blogger—so I’ve made a point of having my husband show me around as if I was a tourist. This has shown me two main truths. First, that while Si Racha is not Bangkok or even Pattaya, there are enough attractions to occupy you for at least a day or two. There’s also a laid-back vibe and a general lack of tourists, which makes it a pleasant place to stay regardless of what you do.
What to Do in Si Racha
Start at the morning market
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up before the crack of dawn and gone to the Muang Si Racha Morning Market, whether to fetch pa tong ko for myself and my husband, or household staples for his family. Even if you aren’t sure what to buy or don’t want to wake up at 5, this is an awesome place to begin your day, particularly if you slept in Si Racha the previous night.
Enjoy the view from Khao Phra Khru
Which is not to say that all the things to do in Si Racha are geared toward locals. To be sure, while some Thais do go to Khao Phra Khru to say a prayer, the temple (which is perched on a hillside) has a statue of naga that’s so beautiful you almost have to Instagram it, to say nothing of the amazing view of the city center you enjoy from the temple’s terrace.
Lean into Si Racha’s café culture
Si Racha is a great place not only for coffee drinkers, but also for people who want to enjoy a relaxing beverage with a view, or even to work somewhere nice with fast WiFi. My favorite place is probably the seaside Prave Cafe, which is pictured above, though whether in crowded streets or shopping malls or at luxury hotels, you can find a coffee (or hard drink) in more places in Si Racha than you can count.
Make an excursion to see Moo Deng
I feared, initially, that this inclusion might date my Si Racha itinerary—even though the world’s most famous pygmy hippo is likely to live for several more decades, the reality is that Moo Deng fever will likely cool before then. For now, however, she’s probably the only reason to visit the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which like most such establishments in Asia leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to animal rights.
Watch the sunset behind Koh Loi
Koh Loi is an island, but not in the way that Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui or even Phuket are. Rather, it’s simply a small mass of land just offshore, with a beautiful temple atop it. While I have ventured onto the island a few times, my favorite way to appreciate it actually from the mainland, specifically at sunset time. As you’ll see in this article’s pictures, Si Racha sunsets are just legendary!
Should You Stay Overnight in Si Racha?
On one hand, I’ve stayed overnight in Si Racha more times than I can count, even if most of these nights were admittedly not in hotels. Staying overnight, indeed, is sort of central to doing many of the things on my list, namely watching the sunset behind Koh Loi, not to mention visiting the Si Racha Morning Market before it’s sold out or closes down.
There are a few nice Si Racha hotels, from the high-rise Oakwood Hotel & Residence, to the more intimate Novotel Marina Sriracha. Likewise, there are a host of more budget-friendly options, which include Ivory House Sriracha homestay and a number of Airbnb apartments. If I can be totally frank about my plans, I would one day like to open a boutique hotel here, though I don’t know how long that will take.
Other FAQ About Visiting Si Racha
Why is Si Racha so famous?
Si Racha—well, the word Sriracha—is famous primarily because of the hot sauce of the same name. The city of Si Racha, Thailand is not actually very famous at all, which means that it’s a delightful place to visit if you have a day or two in Thailand without anything else to do.
What is Si Racha known for?
Si Racha isn’t known very well among tourists at all, to be frank. Those who do know the city know it as being home to one of Thailand’s best morning markets, as well as to the scenic temple island of Koh Loi. In my experience, few people ever talk about the fact that it was the ancestral homeland of Srirachi Sauce.
Is Sriracha from Si Racha?
Sriracha was developed in Sriracha, yes, by a local housewife many, many decades ago. In spite of this, there are no tourism attractions in the city related to the sauce, and most popular Sriracha brands make little or no mention of the sauce’s Thai heritage.
The Bottom Line
Is Si Racha worth visiting? On one hand, I’m biased—I’m married to a local, and I love the sauce that took its name from the town. On the other hand, there are many objective reasons to come to Si Racha at least for a day, particularly if you’ll be in Pattaya or elsewhere in Chonburi province anyway. These include the town’s superlative morning market, beautiful Koh Loi island and of course the wonderful seaside vibe that pervades the whole place. Need personalized help putting your trip to Thailand together? Consider hiring me to plan a custom Thailand itinerary for you!
