Yasothon is a small province in the lower Norhteast, about 530 kilometres from Bangkok.  It is famous for growing high-quality jasmine rice and for the largest Rocket Festival in the region.

   Yasothon has an area of 4,161 square kilometres.  It is divided into the following districts:  Muang, Kham Khuan Kaeo, Maha Chan Chai, Pa Tiu, Loeng Nok Tha, Kut Chum, Kho Wang, Sai Mun and Thai Charoen.

ATTRACTIONS

AMPHOE MUANG

   Phaya Thaen Public Park Phay Thaen  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 Rocker Festival, the annual boat race and the Songkran Festival.

   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.

   Another historical site within the compound is the scripture hall  that is in the Isan art style.   The doorway and the door are beautiful carved woods with exquisite lacquer designs.  The designs on the walls show a mixture of art from the Central Region.  Built during the reigns of Rama IV and Rama V of the Rattanakosin period, the hall stores scriptures on dried palm leaves and art objects from Vientiane.

   Chi River Beach   is a natural beach formed by the receding water level in the river in the dry season, which is never higher than 70 centimetres.  The beach is nearly 2 kilometres long.  Locals like to come here to relax and have a meal.

AMPHOE PA TIU

   Ban Si Than   (Khit pillow-making 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.

AMPHEO LOENG NOK THA

   Phu Tham Phra   is east of Ban Kut Hae, 12 kilometres from Loeng Nok Tha on Highway No. 212.  Inside the spacious cave are countless sacred Buddha images.  Visitors can walk through to the other exit.  A thick jungle covers the area.

AMPHOE KHAM KHUAN KAEO

   Wat Song Puai  is 21 kilometres from the town on Highway No.23 on the way to Ubon Rachathani, then take the right-hand road for 5 kilometres.   The historical building of note here is the large Buddha image that is 8 metres high and is over 200 years old.  A pagoda houses earth from Buddhist sites in India where Lord Buddha was born, found enlightenment, gave the first sermon, and died.  There is also a museum housing artefacts from Dong Muang Toei, an ancient Khmer city, like a stone bed and a stone inscription.

   Dong Muang Toei  is 1 kilometres south of Ban Song Puai. The city ruins shown traces of a religious building a pool and a city wall.  A community in the Chenla to Dvaravati periods thrived here, which was during the 12th Buddhist century.  The Chenla Empire eventually became the Khmer Empire that spread its influence into the Chi and Mun river deltas.

   Ku Chan or Ku Ban Ngiu  is about 30 kilometres from Yasothon on Highway NO. 23 and 12 kilometres in on a left-hand road.  This laterite historical site has some sandstone parts.  Only 2 building ruins remain in a square.  It was built around the 17th-18th Buddhist century.

EVENTS

   Rocket Festival  is held during the second weekend of May.  The purpose is to promote group unity and ask holy spirits for seasonal rain.  The festival is now a national event with a grand rocket procession, local dances and the launching of rockets at Phaya Thaen Park.

LOCAL PRODUCTS

   The most well-known product of the province is jasmine rice which is sold nationwide and is a quality export item.  Local handicrafts include Khit pillows from Ban Si Than and basketry in the form of rice containers that are widely made at Ban Thung Nang Ok and Ban Na Samai in Muang district.