Yasothon
ยโสธร · Yasothon Province
Population
35K
Budget / Month
$180
Internet
40 Mbps
Best Season
May-June for Rocket Festival; November to February for comfort
About Yasothon
Yasothon is a small, flat province in central Isan that would be virtually unknown if not for one spectacular annual event: the Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival. Held in May or June, this pre-planting season celebration involves communities building enormous homemade rockets — some several meters long — and firing them into the sky to petition the rain gods. The festival combines serious agricultural tradition with raucous celebration.
Outside festival season, Yasothon is a deeply quiet provincial capital surrounded by rice paddies. The city is small enough to walk across in 30 minutes. Phra That Anon, a Lao-style stupa at the heart of town, is the most significant religious site. The province has gained attention for its organic rice farming movement — Yasothon farmers have been pioneers in organic jasmine rice production.
The Rocket Festival alone justifies a visit if you time it right — it is one of the most exhilarating and culturally rich festivals in Thailand.
Historical Note
Yasothon was part of Ubon Ratchathani province until 1972, when it was separated. The area has ancient roots as part of the Lan Xang and later Siamese kingdoms. The Rocket Festival tradition dates back centuries as a rain-calling ritual.
Best time to visit: May-June for Rocket Festival; November to February for comfort
At a Glance
Thai Name
ยโสธร
Province
Yasothon
Region
Isan (Northeastern)
Population
35,000
Area
4,162 km²
Elevation
145 m
Postal Code
35000
Founded
1972
Local Language
Isan, Thai
Cost of Living
budget
/month6,500 THB
~$180 USD
comfortable
/month11,500 THB
~$320 USD
luxury
/month19,000 THB
~$530 USD
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 25 | 40 |
| Local restaurant meal | 35 | 65 |
| Coffee (local) | 20 | 35 |
| Coffee (cafe) | 35 | 60 |
| Large beer | 40 | 55 |
| Water 1.5L | 10 | 15 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic guesthouse per night | 200 | 350 |
| Budget hotel per night | 300 | 500 |
| Mid-range hotel per night | 500 | 1,000 |
| Best available per night | 1,000 | 1,800 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike rental per day | 200 | 250 |
| Fuel per liter | 35 | 40 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Thai massage (1 hour) | 150 | 200 |
| Laundry per kg | 25 | 30 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
20% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
0
Weather & Climate
May-June for the Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival. November to February for pleasant temperatures. The town is very quiet outside festival season.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 | 14 | 5 | 55% |
| Feb | 33 | 16 | 10 | 48% |
| Mar | 35 | 20 | 30 | 50% |
| Apr | 36 | 23 | 70 | 58% |
| May | 34 | 24 | 200 | 70% |
| Jun | 33 | 24 | 220 | 75% |
| Jul | 32 | 24 | 240 | 78% |
| Aug | 32 | 24 | 270 | 80% |
| Sep | 32 | 23 | 280 | 80% |
| Oct | 31 | 21 | 130 | 75% |
| Nov | 30 | 17 | 25 | 60% |
| Dec | 29 | 14 | 5 | 55% |
Things to Do
Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival
บุญบั้งไฟ
Thailand's biggest rocket festival — communities fire enormous homemade rockets skyward to request rain, with parades, music, and wild celebration.
Phra That Anon
พระธาตุอานนท์
Lao-style stupa at the heart of Yasothon, said to contain relics of Venerable Ananda, the Buddha's closest disciple.
Rocket Festival Museum (Phaya Thaen Park)
Museum and park dedicated to the Bun Bang Fai tradition with historical rockets, costumes, and ritual explanations.
Ban Si Than (Bronze Casting Village)
บ้านศรีฐาน
Village specializing in traditional bronze casting — Buddhist statues, bells, and decorative items using centuries-old techniques.
Organic rice farm visits
Yasothon is a pioneer in organic jasmine rice. Some farms welcome visitors during harvest season.
Yasothon Night Market
Small but authentic evening market with local Isan food at rock-bottom prices.
Rural Isan cycling
Flat terrain and quiet roads ideal for cycling through rice paddies and small villages.
Food & Dining
ส้มตำ
Som Tam
Papaya salad at its most authentic and cheapest — deep Isan preparation with generous pla ra.
20-35
Every stall
ไก่ย่าง
Gai Yang (Grilled Chicken)
Charcoal-grilled chicken — the universal Isan staple. Simple, smoky, and cheap.
30-50
Roadside stalls
ลาบ
Larb
Minced meat salad with lime, herbs, and toasted rice powder.
30-50
Local restaurants and night market
ข้าวหอมมะลิ
Khao Hom Mali (Organic Jasmine Rice)
Yasothon's organic jasmine rice is among the best in the world. The sticky rice here is particularly fragrant.
5-10
Everywhere — this is the local staple
ปลาช่อน
Pla Chon (Snakehead Fish)
Freshwater snakehead fish, grilled or in tom yum soup.
60-120
Local restaurants
Night Markets
- Yasothon Night Market
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
150 - 250
THB / night
Budget Hotel
200 - 350
THB / night
Mid-Range
300 - 500
THB / night
Luxury
500 - 1,000
THB / night
Studio /mo
1,200 - 2,000
THB / night
1BR /mo
2,500 - 4,000
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
Book months ahead for the Rocket Festival. Outside festival season, walk-in availability is fine everywhere.
Getting There from Bangkok
Fly to Ubon Ratchathani + bus
1 hour + 1.5 hours
2,000-4,000 THB
Bus
7-8 hours
350-480 THB
Getting Around
Walking
WidespreadTown center is small enough to walk
0
Motorbike rental
LimitedEssential for surrounding attractions
200-250/day
Bicycle
LimitedFlat terrain, available at some guesthouses
50-100/day
Songthaew
LimitedVery limited shared routes
10-25
Neighborhoods
Town Center
Quiet small-town IsanQuiet small-town core with Phra That Anon, night market, and government offices.
Best for: All visitors
Phaya Thaen Park Area
Cultural and commemorativeCultural zone with the Rocket Festival Museum and park.
Best for: Festival enthusiasts
Rural Outskirts
Agricultural and peacefulRice paddies, villages, and agricultural land surrounding the town.
Best for: Cycling, farm visits, bronze casting village
Festivals & Events
Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)
บุญบั้งไฟ
The largest rocket festival in Thailand — two days of parades, dancing, rocket competitions, and celebration.
Bun Khao Phansa (Start of Buddhist Lent)
Candle processions and merit-making ceremonies at temples across the province.
Songkran
สงกรานต์
Thai New Year water festival — local-scale but spirited.
Practical Info
Hospital
Yasothon Hospital
Best SIM Provider
AIS
ATM Availability
Common
Language Tip
Isan dialect dominant. Almost no English anywhere.
Drinking Water
Do not drink tap water. Bottled water widely available.
Tipping Culture
Not expected
7-Eleven Density
Common
Emergency Numbers
Emergency 191
Day Trips
Ubon Ratchathani
Major Isan city with Candle Festival fame, restaurants, and airport access.
Roi Et
Tallest standing Buddha in Isan, scenic lake, and silk shopping.
Mukdahan
Mekong border town with Indochina Market and Laos crossing.
Amnat Charoen
Quiet neighboring province with a large seated Buddha and forest temples.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Rocket Festival?
Usually May or June, on the weekend before Buddhist Lent begins. Exact dates vary yearly — check with TAT for confirmed dates.
Is the Rocket Festival worth attending?
Absolutely. It is one of the most exhilarating and culturally authentic festivals in Thailand — ancient ritual combined with wild celebration.
Is Yasothon worth visiting outside festival time?
For most tourists, not as a dedicated destination. Best combined with other Isan towns on a road trip.
How cheap is Yasothon?
Among the cheapest places in Thailand. Street food from 25 THB. Monthly living under 8,000 THB is realistic.
What is the bronze casting village?
Ban Si Than, about 20 km from town, specializes in traditional bronze casting using centuries-old techniques — Buddhist statues, bells, and decorative items.