Yasothon

[Braveheart]

Yasothon (Thai ยโสธร) is a town in the Isan region of Thailand. It is the capital and administrative center of Yasothon province, and had a population of 21,134 in 2005. It lies a little more than 500 km northeast of the Thai capital Bangkok.

 

Yasothon Rocket Festival

Bun Bungfai (Thai: บุญบั้งไฟ), or the Rocket Festival, is held annually in May at Phaya Thaen Park. The festival's origins lie in a custom of firing rockets into the sky at the start of the rice-growing season to encourage rain.

 

The festival now takes the form of a competition to see whose rocket will stay aloft for the longest time. The competition is marked by a weekend of celebration, including highly-decorated floats parading through the town, accompanied by partying, dancing and music.

 

On May 10, 1999, the Yasothon Rocket Festival made world headlines when a 120 kg rocket exploded 50 meters above ground, just two seconds after launch, killing five persons and wounding 11.

 

Transport

Yasothon lies on Route 202; there are no rail or air connections.

 

Places of Interest

Phra That Yasothon

[LaaMok]

Extracted from http://isan.sawadee.com/yasothon/

 

According to historical chronicles of Muang Yasothon, Phra Chao Voravongsa, and his followers in 2340 B.E. were migrating to settle down with the governor of Champasak. Along the way, they stopped at Dong Phi Singh and decided to make their home there as it was found to be an appropriate site which was later named Ban Ta Singh or Muang Ta Singh. In 2357 B.E. King Rama II issued an edict to upgrade the settlement into a town. Muang Ta Singh, reporting direct to Bangkok. The rank of Phra Rachavongsa was given to the governor. The town was subsequently elevated into a province under a Revolutionary Order No.70 on February 6,2515. The province was made up of the following districts, Yasothon, Kam Khuan Kaew, Maha Chaichana, Pa Tiew, Lerng Nok Tha and Kud Chum (all formerly in Ubon Ratchathani), and officially came into existence on March 1,2515 (1972).

 

Borders

North : Mukdahan,Nakhon Phanom and Roi Et

South : Sisaket

East : Ubon Ratchathani

West : Roi Et

 

 

 

How to get there

By Road

Take Highway No.1 (Phaholyothin) to Saraburi. Then turn right into Highway No.2 (Mitrapharb) through Nakhon Ratchasima heading toward Phimai district, and on to Song Hong and Ban Phai districts of Khon Kaen. From here, turn into Highway No.23 passing Borabue district of Mahasarakham and Thawatchai and Selaphum district of Roi Et before reaching Yasothon. The total distance is some 531 kms., traveling time is about 7 hours.

There are regular services daily by non and air-conditioned buses which leave Bangkok from the Northern Bus Terminal.

 

Train or Air passengers have to get off at Ubon Ratchathani to continue by road for another 99 kms. to arrive at Yasothon.

 

 

 

Festivals & Events

Bang Fai Rocket Festival - Phaya Thaen Park

May (second weekend)

Yasothon is most famous for its spectacular Rocket (Bung Fai) Festival, an event which draws visitors from all over the country. The festival features large home-made rockets, fireworks displays, parades and beauty contests. Traditionally northeastern villagers have created and launched rockets of all kinds and sizes as a belief that this will ensure that the gods will send plenty of rain for the rice planting season. As part of this two-day festival there are beauty pageants and various forms of folk and cultural entertainment full of merriment.