Inspired by a drag queen? Yes! The much awaited third season of 'Drag Race Thailand' revealed one competitor who's name put this 'destination' on my Thai tourist map during October 2025! 'Srirasha Hotsauce', I took your name and ran with it! An ocean-side pitstop? Sure, Sriracha could stay! Seafood noodles nourished me and a temple beside the sea, it was great to discover!
My Pattaya wake up call was not appreciated, I was on the road before those revellers resurfaced. I was at peace, I had enjoyed a raucous three or so days in that beachside party city, it had been eventful. I had booked cars to take me back up to Bangkok because the public bus wasn't going to take me to Sriracha, it was only 50 minutes from start to finish on the road. I had not broke the budget with my hotel choice but for the night, I was about to be presented my own studio apartment room with its own washing machine! The Somerset Harbourview was a step up from my holiday room rent next to Jomtien Beach, I wasn't bitter about that previous choice. Dropping my bag was crucial and with a swift check-in, I was allowed to see step by step what Sriracha was going to give up to me! What would that beachside city give? I wanted to know because I only had one day to soak up those feelings! Heading towards the ocean along 'Surasak Sanguan Rd' led to my impromptu breakfast choice, of course I was hungry! Come on, let's eat!
The energy on those city streets were calm, the market served color and I did clock them! Rich reds and tones of orange were clocked as I saw many things being sold roadside. Calm? It was calmer than Bangkok and I would need to get ready for that return the following day! Turning down a 'Google Maps' suggested side-road took me into a neighbourhood vibe. I found my pre-researched breakfast spot. I went for the seafood noodles, I saw some squid and prawns on my plate but I didn't mix any hot sauce onto my plate because I had things to see! In fact, no self-named hot sauce was consumed throughout that stay because I don't do that kind of spicy! Those noodles were delicious, I don't think I had ever had seafood noodles for breakfast but the choice made was right because I was still on the Gulf of Thailand! Fresh and served up right, I went on my way to see something slightly out of town but things were about to get real! Grab was about to scoop me out of that situation, another mistake not learned from! Step it up, S'cha!
An awe-inspiring panoramic view? After almost getting chased by an angry sounding dog, I was happy to see any view that didn't involve a possible dog attack! What possessed me walking to the top of that hill, it was shaded but steep! Was I still hungover from the previous day? Maybe so! 'Khao Phra Khru Monastery' had been known to me but not by that name, I wanted to see those duelling green dragons as they looked over the waterfront along the same ocean I had clocked in Pattaya. I loved the temple space on ground level but I wanted to take those stairs up to the flat roof because that view slapped! Small in presentation, Sriracha didn't have major attractions like Pattaya's 'Sanctuary of Truth' but also this Sriracha vista didn't deceive me one bit! I noticed the koi pond, success and harmony I needed to soak in from seeing those lucky fish with their Feng Shui power! I kept things independent, I had something booked in Bangkok but I was self-guided otherwise! The view centred me, the glass sphere turned the city upside down!
Those dragons had the power to protect me from dark spirits, I would be dealing with foolishness in the coming months! Sorted from the idiocy of my then situation, was I hoping for a different kind of protection? The emerald green and pure gold dragons fiercely protected me during my conflict with heights try to frighten me! Thailand, a second time around showed me that I needed to scratch beneath the surface to remove myself from that 'backpacker' energy! That view held its own significance, it was humbling to see a 'under the radar' viewpoint without any clout searching. On a wave, I wanted to zoom in for real, I headed back down with a solid plan! The views from the top gave me no stress but those dogs weren't ones to trust, I called a Grab car to take me harbour-side. Coming down from that height wasn't a problem, I shall never forget such a chilled yet chaotic view in my whole living life. 'Koh Loi?' I had missed 'Koh Lan', that was so! Would I be able to see an island connected to the mainland? It was hot!
Dropped off at Sriracha's own 'Surasak Montri Public Park' allowed me to walk on those waters like Jesus supposedly did! I'm not talking about miracles because a bridge situation had been built to connect pedestrians with 'Koh Loi' with the mainland. Getting to grips with that island location, I was ready to be at one with the waters Thailand was serving me! I claimed a temple and pagoda-like structure for good measure. I needed to get a snap with the Thai flag representing. I couldn't believe how close this island was from the mentioned park. Whilst the weather was suffocating, the feeling seeing the sea from a 360 degree energy was unmatched. I was in the round, temples in one view and the ocean blue in the next! This was another unassuming spot in Sriracha, this was the city that kept on giving. The pagoda gave me life, it had some mild signs of construction with the bamboo scaffolding being used. Impressed with those island sights, I headed back to the mainland for a serious cool down! Not in the ocean, S!
Heading back to my hotel room was the right thing to do, I had certain luxuries that I don't usually have in my room! I put on a wash on, it was magic to have a suitcase filled with freshly laundered clothes upon check-out! I wasn't playing! I found a convenience store worthy of a cheese toastie and a Thai tea for my nerve, I planned to relax for the rest of the afternoon in my room. I should've known better to blog but did I? I did not! Not feeling bad with that choice, I knew that my lazy afternoon was needed because the early start from Pattaya and the heat in Sriracha left me crawling for some air con! What would I do that evening? Nothing really came up for Sriracha other than a dockside restaurant, that link I would pursuit but not before my washing had been hung out on the balcony! 'Somerset Harbourview' had me acting different! I just knew my next accomodation wouldn't have such facilities! No, I thought not! Resting was the best, Pattaya had saw me do the most, I needed to get ready for Bangkok! Third time lucky?
Digging deeper, I found a spot around the corner from my hotel for my evening meal. 'Teab Ta at Sriracha' was the one for me! I sat down for my meal, it was easy breezy with boats moored at one side and a fancy eatery on the other. I ordered a fish dish because I wanted to eat least eat something appropriate for the location. Wary about bones in my fish, I did my best to eat what I could, to be honest I was impressed because it was tasty and I wasn't on edge worrying about any bones out to choke me! The range of drinks on offer were plentiful, it was nice to have plenty of choice. The waiting staff were fine overall, it was evident that many foreigners didn't frequent that part of the gulf. I did deem one of the ladies to have far too much attitdue and I wasn't going to be one of the those Brits Abroad. I am sure another tourist or visitor would see to that, I was respectful and clear but all I wanted was another drink. At least I said 'thanks' in Thai! The male staff member was friendly. Drinking wise, my evening would be low-key. No crazy plans for me!
My night was early, I made it back to my room with my washing almost dried on the line. I rested well after the day I had experienced. Sriracha had been perfect, I had clocked enough and had shaken off the madness experienced in Pattaya. I rested well in my comfy bed with a reunion trip to tackle, I wasn't ready for Bangkok but knew that it was time for us to meet for a third and most definitely final time. My Thailand trip had been full bodied with fun and delights in the sun, I knew that returning allowed me to see a place like Sriracha. From the dragons to those dogs, everything had been well balanced. I had my fill from that one day, it was enough and the down-to-earth energy was like an antidote to the brash nature of Pattaya. In the morning, it was time to head to the big city, I felt like it was time to fly with a reunion on the cards. Sriracha was the perfect middle-ground for this comeback trip to Thailand, I did feel nervous about returning to the big city but S'cha had been what I needed to face it. Miss Sriracha definitely had the sauce!
Sriracha... Don't You Sashay Away!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
