Phaya Thaen Public Park

Phaya Thaen Public Park is an 18-rai green space on the edge of Mueang Yasothon, built around a bend of the Lam Thuan reservoir on Highway 23. Entry is free, and it’s best known as the site of Yasothon’s giant toad-shaped Phaya Khan Khak Museum, which tells the local legend behind the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival.

Beyond the museum building, the park itself is landscaped gardens and shaded walking paths running along the reservoir bank, punctuated by a row of naga (serpent) statues that reference the same Isan folklore as the toad museum — Phaya Thaen the sky god, and Phaya Khankhak the toad king who defeated him to win back the rains. A small lake section offers paddleboats for hire, and food and drink vendors set up near the entrance, making it an easy half-day out rather than a quick photo stop.

Insider Tip: Do the loop in the opposite order to most visitors — start with the naga statues and lakeside gardens, then finish inside the air-conditioned Phaya Khan Khak Museum as a cool-down before heading back to the car park.

Watch out: Mid-May gets genuinely busy, since the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival draws crowds across Mueang Yasothon and this park is the town’s most visible tribute to the legend behind it. Parking fills up fast on festival dates.

The park sits a few minutes from central Yasothon by tuk-tuk or car, and pairs easily with Phra That Kong Khao Noi, the town’s other well-known landmark — a squat brick stupa with its own folklore, a short ride away. There’s no public transport running directly to the gate, so a private vehicle, motorbike, or tuk-tuk from town is the practical way in.