Yasothon
is a small province in the lower Northeast, 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: Mueang, Kham Khuean
Kaeo, Maha Chana Chai, Pa Tio, Loeng Nok Tha, Kut Chum,
Kho Wang, Sai Mun and Thai Charoen.
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 kilometres
long. Locals like to come here to relax and have a meal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pa Tio
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.