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Yasothon Province


Bang Fai decoration in the Rocket Festival

    Yasothon was created a separate administrative entity from Ubon in 1972. Here is the home of the famous Bang Fire, the Rocket Festival, which is staged on a grand scale every year around mid - May. Yasothon is 531 kilometers from Bangkok.

Following defeat in battle with Laos in Nong Bua Lumpoo (a former district in Udon Thani presently Thailand's newest province), survivors migrated south along the Chee River, rested briefly in village, Ban Sing Tah, and eventually established and settled in Ubon Ratchathani. The younger brother of the firt governor of Ubon Ratchathani, both refugees from Nong Bua Lam Phu, wanted to return to Ban Sing Tah and establish a new town, soon to be called Yasothon. Along with his cousins, he and the other residents of Ban Sing Tah lived peacefully for many years.
During the reign of King Rama II, in 1814, Ban Sing Tah was granted independent township and named Muang Yasothon or Muang Yutsunthon. In 1890, Yasothon joined with Ubon Ratchathani adding two districts to the province. Follwing 21 years of petitioning the Royal Thailand Government, Yasothon became the 71st province in Thailand on March 1, 1972.

Attractions
Wat Maha That Located in the heart of the city, Phra That Yasothin contains the ashes of Phra Ananda, a prominent follower of the Lord Buddha. An old scripture hall built of carved wood in intricate design in the middle of a pond is where the temple's old scripyures are kept.
    That Kong Khao Noi is an ancient Khmer chedi (pagoda) located at Tambon Tat Thong in Amphoe Muang. Its Buddha image made of bricks is revered by the town people. Traditionally, the image is ritually bathed in the 5th Lunar month (April) in the belief that without the ceremony there will be no rain
    Also at Tat Thong village, the Fine Arts department had conducted an excavation project to research into pre-historic times. Skeletons of prehistoric human were discovered as well as Ban Chiang-style coloring designs.

Replica of Holy Footprints at Ban Nong Yang, Amphoe Maha Chanachai, is another place of interest.

Reclining Buddha of Phu Tham Phra is located to the East of Ban Kut Hae of Amphoe Loeng Nok Tha, 85 kilometers from Yasothon.

Chi River Beach About 1 kilometer from town, the beach originated from the natural retreat of water level during December and May. It stretches for about 2 kilometers with local food shops lining along the beach.

Ban Si Than This village is famous for silk and cotton hand - made production. Ban Si Than is 20 kilometers from Yasothon municipality on route 202.

  • Festival and Celebrations Manual in Yasothon Povince.


    Local people enjoy the Rocket Festival

      Rocket Festival held annually over the second weekend of May, the festival includes as a main feature the rocket procession in which entries of various sizes, varying according to the amount of saltpeter, are intricately decorated. A rocket dance accompanying the procession is joined by the townspeople of all ages and may stretch for as long as several kilometers. The rockets will be launched on the second day of the festival.

      Throughout much of Northeastern Thailand, the Thai Rocket Festival is held every year on the second week of May. This festival marks the beginning of the rice growing season. Rockets are built and launched into
    the sky to worship the god of rain, Phaya Tan. The people believe if Phaya Tan is pleased by their actions, he will deliver the rains necessary for a successful rice harvest. Yasothon is known to have the most impressive rocket festival in all of Thailand.
    Many years ago, during the time when the Lord Buddha was born as a toad, Phaya Tan was very angry with the people. Phaya Tan decided to punish the people by withholding the life giving rains. During this time of severe drought, all the people, plants, and animals suffered greatly. As the drought continoued, most of the living creatures died from lack of water. After 7 months, the surviving people and animals rallied together and went to consult with Lord Buddha, the toad. After much discussion, they decided Phaya Naki, the giant snake, should lead them into the battle with Phaya Tan. But, Phaya Tan was too powerful and defeated Phaya Naki and his troops. Buddha, the people, and the animals then sent Phaya Dtaw, the wasp, and Phaya Dtan, the hornet to engage Phaya Tan. But, once again, Phaya Tan defeated the attackers, returning them home hopeless for victory and awaiting unescapable death from drought.
    Finally, Buddha, the toad, planned an attack with termites building mounds into the sky along which scorpions and centipeds would travel into the battle against Phaya Tan and his forces. Moths aided the offensive by destroying the wooden handles of the enemies' weapons. Phaya Tan was overwhelmed by the coordinated effort of Buddha's attack. Buddha accepted Phaya Tan's surrender under the conditions that he provide the rains immeddiately and in the future, if he should forget, the people will remind him by launching rockets, at which time he will start the rains. The songs of the frogs will inform Phaya Tan the rains are being received and when he hears the sounds of the farmers' rattand wind chimes attached to kites, he will know to cease the rains as the harvest time is soon approaching.
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    Information : Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel. (02) 694-1222, E-mail : tat@cs.ait.ac.th

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