🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Before we get into the plan, a quick lay of the land. Yasothon town itself is small and easy to walk or drive around — the main in-town sights like the Ban Singha Tha quarter and Wat Maha That are within walking distance of each other. That Kong Khao Noi sits in Ban Tat Thong, only about 9 km out of town, but Phu Tham Phra is up in Loeng Nok Tha district at the far north of the province, around 70 km away, so you'll need to budget driving time. The khit-pillow village of Ban Si Than is in Pa Tio district, about 20–25 km out. This 3-day plan works most smoothly with your own car or a rental, especially on day two when you climb the mountain — there's no public transport that reaches it.
When to go
Unless you're specifically coming for the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival in May, aim for the cool season from late in the year into early the next — the weather is just right, and walking the old town or climbing the hill is comfortable rather than baking. Phu Tham Phra is greenest at the tail end of the rains into the start of the cool season, when the waterfalls actually have water. During the rocket festival the town is packed and rooms fill up fast, so you'd need to book several weeks ahead.
Day 1 — Into town, the pagoda and the old quarter
Day one is all about the in-town highlights. Start at the That Kong Khao Noi pagoda mid-morning while the sun is still gentle, then head into town for lunch. In the afternoon, walk the Ban Singha Tha old quarter and the neighbouring Wat Maha That, and wrap up the evening at Phaya Thaen Park by the water. Knocking out the town highlights in a single day frees up the other two days for the areas outside town.
In town + Ban Tat Thong
Getting around on day one
Without your own car, charter a songthaew or taxi for the round trip to That Kong Khao Noi rather than paying per leg — it works out better value. In town you can comfortably walk Ban Singha Tha and Wat Maha That. But for tomorrow's climb up Phu Tham Phra, your own car or a rental is the only realistic option.
Book the activities in your Yasothon trip ahead
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.
Day 2 — Up to Phu Tham Phra, Buddhas in a cave, a forest waterfall
Set off a bit earlier on day two, because Phu Tham Phra is in Loeng Nok Tha district, around 70 km from Yasothon town, a drive of about 1–1.5 hours. It's a low hill covered in shady mixed deciduous forest, and the highlight is a cave lined with old Buddha images — a reclining Buddha and several other postures — in a quiet, calm setting that suits anyone who likes nature and temples alike. We'll say it plainly: the path up is through forest and hills, so come during the day and don't come alone.
Loeng Nok Tha + Phu Tham Phra
Straight talk about Phu Tham Phra
Phu Tham Phra is a quiet nature spot, not a flashy check-in. The appeal is the calm and the old Buddhas in the cave. The way up is forest and hills, so come as a group, wear trainers, bring drinking water, and go during the day. If it's raining hard the path can get slippery — better to skip it.
Day 3 — Khit-pillow village, souvenirs, home
Take the last day easy. Start with a local breakfast, then stop at the khit-pillow village of Ban Si Than in Pa Tio district to see the craft the province is known for. Pick up pillows and souvenirs at village prices, grab a last lunch to close out the trip, and head home. Pa Tio happens to sit right on the route out towards Ubon Ratchathani, so if you're carrying on to Ubon you can just leave this way.
Pa Tio + souvenirs
How to get to Yasothon
Yasothon has no airport and no train through the town, so you mainly arrive by car or coach. For this 3-day plan, which includes the climb up Phu Tham Phra, having your own car is the smoothest and best-value option.
- Own car — about 7–8 hours from Bangkok. The most convenient way, since you can move between districts as you please; it's all but essential for the Phu Tham Phra day and the trip to Ban Si Than.
- Coach / minivan — there are services from Mo Chit and nearby provinces into Yasothon town. Fine if you only want to see the town, but to climb the mountain you'll need to rent or charter a vehicle on top.
- Fly to Ubon, then rent a car — the nearest airport is Ubon Ratchathani, about 1 hour from Bangkok, then roughly 1.5–2 hours' drive into Yasothon. This suits the plan best because it gives you a car for the mountain too.
Rough budget per person
A 3-day, 2-night Yasothon trip is easy on the wallet — the town is small and the food is cheap. Your main cost goes on transport, since you're criss-crossing districts. Here's a rough per-person estimate, not counting getting there from Bangkok.
- 2 nights' lodging — about 1,000–1,800 THB (split in two if you're sharing, that's 500–900 THB each)
- Food for 3 days — about 600–900 THB on local food and cafes
- Car / petrol for 3 days — if you rent or charter, about 1,200–2,400 THB, because day two means a long run up the mountain (split it between you if there's a group)
- Entry fees — That Kong Khao Noi, the temples and Phu Tham Phra are all free, so there's barely anything here
- Souvenirs / khit pillows — up to you; small pillows start in the low hundreds, big ones run from several hundred into the thousands
Straight talk on who this plan suits
This 3-day, 2-night plan suits people who want to see all of Yasothon — town and nature both — and who have their own car. If you don't have a car and don't want to charter one, sticking to the town over 2 days and 1 night fits better, because the Phu Tham Phra day relies entirely on driving. Yasothon isn't a province packed with activity all day; its charm is the slow pace, the quiet, and the good local food. Come without rushing and you'll enjoy it most.
See where to stay and the full Yasothon travel guide
See the Yasothon guide →