San Chao Pho Khao Yai: The Shrine People Honk For in Cha-Am

Why San Chao Pho Khao Yai Is Worth Seeing

This shrine is a very important place for locals. There's a tradition: if you don't stop by every time you drive past, at least honk right from the road. That's why it's never quiet here: the honking of passing traffic is as much a background as the noise of the highway. The shrine is built in the form of a pyramid and is easily recognized from the road. Unfortunately, you won't be able to climb to the top: although there's a staircase leading up, it's closed to ordinary onlookers. Around the "pyramid" there are many animal figurines brought as offerings to the shrine. According to the story, the shrine was moved here from a neighboring mountain because of a cement company's quarrying, and now it stands practically by the road.

Overall, there's not much to do or see here. In our opinion, if you're not driving past on the way to Phetchaburi or Bangkok, it's not worth a special trip. But if you're passing by, you can drop in for a few minutes. The main thing to know before your visit is the monkeys.

Monkeys: What to Know Before Your Visit

A troop of monkeys lives here. These aren't shy little animals you can photograph from a distance: they've long been used to people and see them as a source of food. Don't bring food or water with you – otherwise they'll attack and try to snatch it. This isn't an exaggeration: in reviews, tourists directly warn that the monkeys here steal things and food.

If you want to feed them, you can buy bananas. They're sold nearby from a street cart. But remember: you should only feed them to interact, not to "bribe" the troop. Monkeys in Thailand can be aggressive if they sense food, and this applies not only to this shrine. We covered in detail how to behave around monkeys in a separate article: How to behave around monkeys – tips for tourists, tested from experience. If you're planning to stop by, it's better to read it in advance – it's especially relevant here.