Yasothon is most famous for the Yasothon Bun Bangfai (Rocket) Festival, this includes parades of various sized and beautifully decorated rockets, cheer squad, Miss Bangfai, fancy rocket and highest soaring rocket competitions. Other annual festivals include a Rice Garland Festival and a Meritorious Garland Tradition Festival, both of which are held in February.
Yasothon Province is in the Isaan region of Thailand, if you have any questions on Yasothon or the surrounding area why not post them on our Isaan & Yasothon Forum.
A trip to Yasothon to see the street parades, the rocket launches, and of course the losers being thrown in the mud pit.
Another visit to the Yasothon Rocket Festival.
Most of the area is mountains lying from the northwest to the southeast. There are many kinds of plants and stone fields where local people called “Dan” surrounding the peak. Phu Krasa is the highest peak at around 481 meters above sea level.
Phra Phutthabat Yasothon
Situated in Wa Phra Phutthabat Yasothon, the hall enshrines the Lord Buddha's Footprint in the form of a white sand dune at the fertile area of the Chi River.
Wat Maha That
Wat Maha That is an important temple of the province in the town. The building of importance here is Phra That Yasothon or Phra That Anon, an ancient square pagoda with the top similar to that of Phra That Phanom. The architecture is in the Laotian style which was popular in the late Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin periods. The pagoda houses the relics of Phra Anon. A state minister from Si Sattana Khanahut (Vientiane) who took migrants to settle here about 200 years ago constructed it around 1778.
Phra That Kong Khao Noi
Phra That Kong Khao Noi is at Tambon Tat Thong. Take the Yasothon-Udon Thani route for 2 kilometres to get to the site. Built during the 23rd-25th Buddhist century in the late Ayutthaya period, the small, square brick pagoda has a distinctive top. The middle part has designs of doorways on all 4 sides. A brick wall surrounds the pagoda. A sacred Buddha image is behind the pagoda. Legend has it that it was built by a young farmer who was repentant after killing his mother because he was upset with hunger.
Ku Chan
Located at Ban Ngew, Tambon Ku Chan, 12 kms. from Amphoe Kham Khuen Kaeo, KuChan is an ancient pagoda similar to Phra That Phanom. Legend says it has been built in the same period to Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom province.
Ban Song Puey Archeological Site
Situated 25 km. from Yasothon City, via highway 23 (Yasothon-Kham Khuen Kaeo-Ubon Ratchathani Road.) and 10 km. off the main road on the right. Its significant attractions include;
Big Buddha Image. Made of brick, the principle Buddha of Wat Song Puey is 3 metres wide and 8 metres high. This sacred image can be dated back to more than 200 years. Pagodas containing soil from holy sites of Buddhism. The old pagoda, more than 200 years old, was renovated in 1955 by Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram. It houses soil from holy site of Buddha, namely the place of birth, enlightenment, the first sermon, and nirvana, brought from India by a Buddhist monk, Khien Ammaphand. The replica of Buddha Footprint.
The footprint was built by sponsoring of Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram and his lady. Lots of local people come to bath the footprint During Songkran Festival. Antique Museum. The museum features antiques found from Dong Muang Toey, an ancient Khmer town. The antique include stone bed of the mayor, and stone inscription in ancient Khmer letter.
Dong Muang Toey Ancient town
The remaining of ancient town Dong Muang Toey is found a kilometre south of Song Puey Village, 7 kms. from Amphoe Kham Khuen Kaeo. Foundation of temple, pond, and town wall are found. Altough they are ruined, their remaining indicated that it once was settlement in Chenla-Dhavaravadi period or in the 7th Centiry. Chenla King’s inscription indicated that this ancient site is religious place for Shivism. Dong Muang Toey and nearby community, proably satellite town of Chenla Kingdom, was called ‘Sangkha Pura’. Chenla Kingdom developed into Khmer Empire later and extended its territory into Moon and Chee River Basin during such period.
Ban Si Than
Ban Si Than is where typical pillows are made. The village is 20 kilometres from Yasothon on the way to Amnat Charoen. Villagers make Khit pillows and weave after the harvest is done. They are famous products of the province.
Phaya Thaen Public Park
Phaya Thaen is a rain god according to the belief of Isan people. Phaya Thaen Public Park is on Chaeng Sanit Road in the municipality. The large area is surrounded by a small waterway and is decorated with flowers and decorative plants. It also has a health park. The park is the venue of various provincial fairs like the Rocket Festival, the annual boat race and the Songkran Festival.
Phu Tham Phra
This large cave, located to the west of the mountain, houses countless sacred Buddha images.
Ban Thung Nang Oak
The village is famed for its bamboo basketry for household use and souvenir. The village is located in Amphoe Muang, 8 km. from Yasothon City via highway 2169 (Yasothon-Kud Chum Road.)
Chi River Beach
This is a natural beach formed by the receding water level in the Chi River in the dry season, which is never higher than 70 centimetres. The beach is nearly 2 km long. Locals like to come here to relax and have a meal.
Ban Na Samai
Located close to Ban Thung Nang Oak, the village is famed for bamboo basketry and carved miniature cart.