Yasothon Attractions
Amphoe Muang
Phaya Thaen Public Park
is on Chaeng Sanit Road in the municipality. Phaya Thaen is a god that grants rainfall according to the belief of the Isan people. The large area is surrounded by a small waterway and is decorated with flowers and decorative plants. It also has an exercise park. The park is the venue of various provincial fairs, like the Rocket Festival, the annual boat race and the Songkran Festival.
Wat Maha That
is an important provincial temple. An important building situtated here is the 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 brought migrants to settle here about 200 years ago. It was constructed around 1778.
Another historical site within the compound is the scripture hall that is in the Isan art style. The doorway and the door consist of 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 during 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.
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 18th-20th 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 was placed behind the pagoda. Legend has it that it was built by a young farmer who became repentant after killing his mother because he was upset with hunger.
Amphoe Pa Tio
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. These are the province’s most famous products.
Amphoe 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 Khuean Kaeo
Dong Mueang Toei
is 1 kilometre south of Ban Song Puai. The city ruins show traces of a religious building, a pool and a city wall. A community in the Chenla to Thawarawadi periods thrived here, which was during the 7th century. The Chenla Empire eventually became the Khmer Empire that spread its influence into the Chi and Mun river deltas.
Wat Song Puai
is 21 kilometres from the town on Highway No. 23 on the way to Ubon Ratchathani. Take a 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 Mueang Toei, an ancient Khmer city, like a stone bed and a stone inscription.
Ku Chan or Ku Ban Ngeo
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 12th-13th century.
Amphoe Maha Chana Chai
Lord Buddha’s footprint
is 6 kilometres west of the district on Highway No. 2083. The footprint was originally on a sand dune in the middle of the Chi River. A laterite Buddha image 1 metre tall is located here and so too is a laterite stone inscription with old alphabets stating that all 3 artefacts were taken from Ayutthaya.
