🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Yasothon has long been known for folk handicrafts, and there are two villages anyone who likes handmade things should drop by. First, Ban Na Samai in Na Samai sub-district, Mueang Yasothon, known for basketry, wood carving, and brass. Second, Ban Si Than in Pa Tio district, the real home of Yasothon's triangle pillows and woven Khid cloth. This guide takes you to both, because they're in the same province and easily make a single day trip.
Straight talk first
If you're coming specifically to watch triangle pillows being made, the main source is Ban Si Than in Pa Tio district. Ban Na Samai is the one for basketry, sticky-rice baskets, and woodwork. The two villages are in different districts, about a 30–40 minute drive apart, so we've bundled them into one trip to make the petrol worthwhile.
Ban Na Samai — the whole village is artisans
Ban Na Samai is an old community more than a century old, where almost every household does basketry as a sideline to rice farming. The first thing you notice walking into the village is the bamboo sticky-rice baskets, woven so well here that they ship out beyond the province. They range from small ones you can carry to giant human-sized baskets set up as a photo spot at the village entrance.
- Sticky-rice baskets (kratip & kong khao) — the village's main craft, woven from bamboo in a tight pattern that keeps sticky rice warm. Small ones start in the tens of baht; large ones with special patterns run into the hundreds.
- Carved wooden door panels — made to order by skilled carvers, in Thai and Isan motifs, good for anyone building a wooden house.
- Miniature traditional ox carts — décor for the house and garden, scaled down from real carts.
- Brassware — traditional brass casting made into both household items and decorative pieces.
The charm here is getting to watch artisans actually work right on their porches, not just shops selling things. If you want to see the weaving steps, greet the locals politely — most are friendly and happy to let you watch, and some will even let you try weaving yourself.
Want more out of Yasothon? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Ban Si Than — the real triangle-pillow and woven-cloth source
When it comes to Yasothon's triangle pillows, locals think of Ban Si Than in Pa Tio district first. This village makes axe-shaped Khid-cloth pillows across more than a thousand households, to the point that it has become a second occupation after rice farming. The highlight is Khid cloth — a traditional Isan woven textile with the pattern lifted up onto the fabric, then sewn to cover the distinctive triangular or axe-shaped pillows.
Walk into the village and you'll see bright Khid cloth hung out in rows in front of the houses — some homes weaving on looms, some stuffing kapok into pillows, and front-porch shops with pillows piled up like mountains. Buying at the source is a lot cheaper than at the mall.
Single axe-shaped Khid pillow
A triangular axe-shaped pillow stuffed with kapok and covered in Isan Khid cloth. A classic Yasothon souvenir — light and easy to carry.
3-fold / 4-fold pillow
An axe-shaped pillow with stacked sections that fold away. Lean against it to sit or recline while watching TV — the more sections, the deeper you can lean back.
3-fold / 4-fold mattress
A Khid-cloth mattress that folds up for storage. Lay it out to seat guests or as a spare bed — good for anyone wanting genuine Isan pieces.
Ranat (ridged) mattress
A mattress stuffed into rows of kapok ridges that follow your body when you lie down. Roll it out for a picnic or for sitting in meditation.
Floor & meditation cushions
Square or round Khid-cloth cushions for sitting on the floor, meditating, or placing on a wooden chair.
Khid head pillows & fruit pillows
Khid-cloth head pillows, plus brightly coloured fruit-shaped pillows for kids — cute souvenirs to take home.
How to pick a pillow that's worth it
Give the filling a squeeze — a pillow that's stuffed firm and even won't sag quickly. Check the Khid-cloth seams for neat stitching and a pattern that isn't crooked, and if you buy several you can usually haggle, since most front-porch shops are easygoing. Prices generally start around 190 baht and run into the thousands for folding mattresses.
Khid cloth and pillow-making: what you can watch
- Weaving the Khid cloth — watch artisans weave on a traditional loom, picking up the Khid pattern thread by thread. This is the slowest step of all.
- Cutting and shaping — the Khid cloth is sewn into the axe or triangle shape and joined into sections.
- Stuffing the kapok — kapok or fibre is packed in firm to hold the shape; this is when the pillow starts taking form.
- Finishing — the pillow is sewn shut and shaped up neatly before it goes on sale.
The busiest time is before festivals and merit-making events, since Khid pillows are a popular gift of respect and offering to monks among Isan people. Come then and you'll see the whole village working flat out.
Getting there and the best time to go
Ban Na Samai
Na Samai sub-district, Mueang Yasothon, about 15 km from town and roughly a 20-minute drive. Your own vehicle is by far the easiest way.
Ban Si Than
Si Than sub-district, Pa Tio district, about 20 km from town. Take Highway 202 (the Yasothon–Pa Tio–Amnat Charoen road) to around km 18–19, then turn into the village.
Both villages are open year-round and free to enter. Morning to early afternoon is when the artisans are working and the shops are all open. It's best to come by car or rental vehicle, as public transport is hard to reach here. If you don't have a vehicle, try asking about car rentals or motorcycle taxis from Yasothon town.
Make the trip worthwhile
If you only have one day, we suggest starting early at Ban Na Samai (closer to town) to see the basketry and buy a sticky-rice basket, then driving on to Ban Si Than mid-morning to choose your triangle pillows. Finish by stopping for good food in Yasothon town on the way back.
Plan a full day in Yasothon — food, temples, and handicraft villages
See the Yasothon travel guide →