Yasothon - Thailand

Temples and Antiques
Wat Mahathat Located within in Muang municipality. It has existed ever since the beginning of the community of the original Ban Ta Singh, major ancient structures include the Phra Buddha Busayarat statue, the Phra That (holy relic) Yasothon and the Scripture Hall. Festivities and events place there. Phra That Kong Khao Noi is an ancient chedi dating back to the Khorn Era. Located in a field in Tambon Tad Thong of Yasothon district. It can be reached by going out of town for about 8 kms. on Highway No.23 (Yasothon-Ubon Ratchathani). At about Km. marker 194, turn left and proceed on for another kilometer. At Ban Tat Thong is a distinctive brick pagoda dating back to the late Ayutthaya period (18th century). The Phra Buddha Busayarat Also known as Phra Kaew Yad Nam Kang, cast in the Chiang Saen style, is a statue in the Meditation posture, with a lap width of 1.9". It is an ancient symbol of Yasothon and was presented to the first governor of the town by King Rama III. Dong Muang Toey near the village of Ban Song Puay in Kham Khuan Keao district is the site of a community believed to have originated around the 6th century. The ruins of a building at the site bear words which indicate it was a Brahman shrine. Phra That Yasothon (Phra That Anon) is one of the major and ancient Phra Thats in the Northeast. Square shaped with the top similar to the Phra That Phanom, the chedi enshrines the ashes of Phra Anon. The architecture reflects the influence of Laotian art popular reflects the influence of Laotian art popular during the Late Ayutthaya Period-Early Rattanakosin Period, which supports the belief that it was built around that period when Phra Vor and Phra Ta led immigrations to settle down in that vicinity. The Phra That has a square base, each side measuring 81 m. built of brick and mortar with a tapered waist in the form of face-up and face-down lotuses. The actual Chamber is located above. The four arches on the four compass points are adorned with standing Buddha statues. On the four sides top of the Phra That are smaller Pli Lek knots, while the central top is double-tiered. The general style is similar to the Phra That Kong Khao Noi. The Phra That Anon is celebrated in an annual fair during the month of March. Also known as Phra Kaew Yad Nam Kang, cast in the Chiang Saen style, is a statue in the Meditation posture, with a lap width of 1.9". It is an ancient symbol of Yasothon and was presented to the first governor of the town by King Rama III. Mae Nam Chee Beach is a two-kms stretch of river bed along the banks of the Chee River. The area is exposed when the river recedes during the dry season from December to May. During this time vendors set up food stalls and the "peach" becomes a recreation area. There a number of interesting caves in the scenic mountainous vicinity of Phu Tham Phra 16 km from Loeng Nok Tha district. The cave on Phu Tham Phra contains several Buddha images. Other notable caves include Kheng Ngu Chuang, Kliang and Phrom Butr. Phu Thang Kwian is a rocky peak in the Phu Phan Mountains 24 km from Kut Chum district. It is worth a visit to see the surrounding landscape. Local people pay homage to a shrine while they are there. The village of Ban Si Than Pa Tiu District 20 km east of Yasothon on Highway 202 is noted for making khid cloth and triangle-shaped mawn kwan pillows.
Natural Attractions
Phraya Than Public Park The park is located on Chang sanit Road (Highway No.23) next to the Lam Tuan Reservoir. Small streams meander around the 18-Rai park which is made up of plots of flowers and decorative plants, a Sangkeet Sala (open-air stage), a children play-ground and a fitness park. The annual Bung Fai (rocket) fair is organized here by the municipality. (According to local belief, Phya Than is the God of Rain who must be presented with shooting rockets come the sixth month of the lunar calendar to ensure there will be regular rain). The park is also the venue for the annual short-boat races and the Songkran festival. Phu Tham Phra To the east of Ban Kud Hae, Tambon Kud Chiang Mee, Lerng Nok Ta district, about 12 kms. from the district town on Highway No.212, or about 85 kms. from Muang district, is the Phu Tham Phra, literally mount of Statue Cave. The cave houses numerous Buddha images and statues, all very ancient and sacred. all very ancient and sacred. About 3 wag-wide and 8 Wah-deep, Tham Phra is located on the south cliff through rocky opening stretching to the north and easily to walk through. The hill exudes an air of coolness and pleasantness because of thick foliage. There are also other caves nearby.
Antiquitites Sites at Ban Song Puay
To reach Ban Song Puay, which is located in Kam Khuan Kaew district, proceed on for 25 kms. from Yasothon-Kam Khuan Kaew route along Highway No.23. Then take a right turn and proceed on for another 10 kms. Major sites and religious places of worship include:- Phra Buddha Roob Yai The principal statue in the Ubosot of Wat Song Puay, has a lap width of 3 m. and is 8 m. high. Built of brick and lime and believed to be at least 200 years old, it is highly revered by the local people. The Chedi Containing Earth from Sangvejaniyasthan (sacred places). The 200-year old chedi was renovated and added on in 2489 B.E. and funded by Field Marshal Plak Phibulsonggram. Phra Plad Khian Ammaphan, a senior monk, brought soils from the four Sacred Places (where the Lord Buddha was born, enlightened, gave his first sermon and where he passed away) in India to be put here. Replica of the Holy Footprint Built by Field Marshal Plak Phibulsonggram (a former Prime Minister) and his wife, draws crowds of worshippers during the Thai New Year (Songkran) to pour lustral water on the replica. The Dong Muang Toey Ancient Ruins Are about 1 kilometer to the south of the village of Ban Song Puay. Remains of temples, ponds and city walls although broken down, still can be seen and their original outline discerned. It is believed that originally it was the site of an ancient community during the Jenla-Tharavadi Period beginning in the 12th century B.E. Records left by King Jenla indicated that the ancient site was constructed as a Brahmini religion as house to worship the God Shiva. During that period the areas around Dong Muang Toey and nearby communities could have collectively been a city called "sangkha Pura and a vassal state of the Janla Kingdom, which in fact was the Khom kingdom during its domination over the Mun-Chi basin. Ku Jan Located at Ban Ngiew, Tambon Ku jan, Kam Khuan Kaew district, is about 12 kms. east of the district town, or about 35 kms. from the provincial seat. Legend has it that Ku Jan has been in existence since the famous Phra That phanom of Nakhon phahom was built. The Ku Jan chedi is one of the province's ancient works. Phra Buddha Baht Yasothon The Phra Budda Bath Holy Footprint of Yasothon is located at a temple of the same name in Ban Nong Yang, Tambon Hua Muang, maha Chana Chai district, about 6 kms. from the district town to the west along Highway #2083, or some 47 kms. from the provincial town. The terrain around which the footprint is sited is a mould of white sand jutting up from the Chi river basin. It is considered an antiquity treasure of Yasothon. Nearby is another ancient relic, a Buddha statue of the Nak Prok posture made of laterite with a lap width of about 50 cm and a laterite slab inscribed in ancient scripts saying that they were brought over from Ayutthaya in 1378 B.E. Also inscribed are prayers paying homage to the Holy Footprint. Some letters are illegible because of age. During March-April, flocks of worshippers from the district and nearby communities converge here to pay homage to the Holy Footprint. Hoh Trai at Wat Sra Trainurak The century-old Hoh Trai, or Scripture Hall, of Wat Sra Trainurak, is in the Burmese or Thai Yai architectural style. A wood structure, it measures 8.30 m. wide and 10.50 m. long. The four-tiered corrugated-sheet roof has extended eaves on the four sides. The panels of the single goor are beautifully carved. It is erected in a deep pond of the Wat which is located at Ban Na Viang, Tambon Na Viang, Sai Mun district, about 25 kms. from the provincial town. The Ban Singh Ta Old community Around the Khum (mansion) Ban Singh Ta in the Muang municipality has been the neighborhood of an old community which traces its origin to the be ginning of the town founding. Today there are still rows of antiquated shop-houses of delightful appearance and designs, all carefully preserved. It is an area inductive to the study of native art and culture.
Handicraft Village
After the rice-harvesting season, villagers of Ban Sri Than turn their attention to the making of weaving and the famous Mon khit pillows, which are hugely popular among visitors. The village can be reached by going along the Yasothon-Pha Tiew-Anmat Charoen route for about 20 kms. out of town. Then at between markers Km. 18 and 19, take a right turn into an asphalt road for another 3 kms. Ban Toong Nang Oak Ban Toong Nang Oak is within the Muang district about 8 kms. from town proper on Highway No.2169 (Yasothon-Kud Chum). The community is noted for its basketry products used as household utensils and as gift items. Ban Na Samai Ban Na Samai is a village not far from Ban Toong Nang Oak. It is noted for fine basketry works and replicas of carved carts.