Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument in Yasothon Province is a major historical landmark located inside Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Yasothon District. The monument honors Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa, also known as Chao Ratchawong Sing, the first ruler of Yasothon. The surrounding park has been developed as a public recreation area with landscaped gardens, a large concrete activity ground, an octagonal pavilion, walking and exercise areas, and an important ceremonial space for the Yasothon Province Founding Day. The site is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00 with no admission fee. It is suitable for paying respect, walking, photography, light exercise, and learning about the historical roots of Yasothon city.

 

Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument in Yasothon Province is one of the most meaningful landmarks in the city. It combines the role of a historical memorial, a place of public respect, and an urban recreation area in one destination. The monument stands inside Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Yasothon District. The surrounding area has been landscaped as an open public park with a large activity ground, green areas, flower beds, resting pavilions, and space for walking, exercising, and community events. For visitors who want to understand Yasothon from its historical foundation, this is one of the best places to begin.

 

Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa, also known as Chao Ratchawong Sing, is a key figure in Yasothon history. He was the first ruler of Mueang Yot Sunthon, the historical city that later became Yasothon Province. Historical records of Yasothon state that in 1814, during the reign of King Rama II, Ban Sing Tha was elevated to town status and given the name Mueang Yot Sunthon. Chao Ratchawong Sing was appointed as its ruler with the title Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa. The monument therefore represents the beginning of Yasothon as an organized town and connects the present city with its early political and community history.

 

This monument is not merely a photo spot or a roadside landmark. It is a symbolic place where the memory of the first ruler of Yasothon is preserved in public space. Local people continue to pay respect to Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa, especially during important provincial ceremonies. At the same time, the monument is surrounded by a public park that people use in everyday life. This makes the site a living memorial, where history, civic space, recreation, and local identity remain closely connected.

 

Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park is one of the important public spaces in Yasothon city. It functions as a recreation ground, an exercise area, a community gathering space, and a venue for provincial events. The landscape around the monument has been improved to create a pleasant environment for visitors. The open ground allows people to walk, gather, take photos, and participate in public events. The green areas and pavilions provide places to rest, making the park suitable for families, local residents, and travelers.

 

The monument itself is the visual and symbolic center of the park. It stands on a spacious ground that allows visitors to view it clearly from several angles. The front area is used for paying respect and for ceremonial activities. The figure of Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa conveys dignity, leadership, and strength. For the people of Yasothon, the monument is a reminder of the city’s foundation and the leadership that shaped its early identity.

 

The most important annual context of the monument is the Yasothon Province Founding Day. Yasothon Province was established on March 1, 1972, and the anniversary is marked every year with provincial ceremonies and public events. One of the key activities is the ceremony at Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument, where offerings are made and people gather to honor the first ruler of Yasothon. This annual ceremony gives the monument an active role in the civic and cultural life of the province.

 

During the province’s founding celebration, the area around the monument becomes especially lively. Government agencies, local communities, cultural groups, and residents take part in merit-making, ceremonial offerings, and traditional performances. The worship dance dedicated to Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa is one of the important cultural activities held in front of the monument. It expresses respect for the city’s founder and pride in Yasothon identity.

 

On ordinary days, the atmosphere is calm and relaxed. Local residents come to the park to walk, exercise, rest, and spend time with family. Visitors can pay respect at the monument, take photographs, and enjoy the open space. Morning and late afternoon are the most pleasant times to visit, as the weather is cooler and the light is suitable for photography. The site offers a different experience depending on when visitors come: peaceful on regular days and lively during provincial festivals.

 

The landscape around the monument adds to its character. Flower beds, an octagonal pavilion, and a large concrete ground create a balance between ceremonial dignity and everyday usability. Visitors can photograph the monument from the front, walk around the area, or rest in the shaded parts of the park. The open design makes the site accessible and easy to understand, even for first-time visitors to Yasothon.

 

Historically, the monument is an excellent starting point for learning about Yasothon. The story of Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa is closely connected with Ban Sing Tha, the old riverside community that became Mueang Yot Sunthon. Ban Sing Tha remains an important old quarter of Yasothon, with historic houses, streets, local memory, and a strong connection to the Chi River. By visiting the monument and then continuing to Ban Sing Tha, travelers can understand how the city grew from a historic settlement into the provincial center of today.

 

Wat Mahathat Yasothon is another important nearby place that can be included in the same route. The temple is one of the key religious sites of the old town and is closely tied to the history of Ban Sing Tha. Visiting the monument, Wat Mahathat, and Ban Sing Tha together gives travelers a clear picture of Yasothon’s historical core: leadership, religion, community, and river-based settlement.

 

Nearby modern cultural attractions such as Phaya Thaen Public Park, the Toad Museum, and Wiman Phaya Thaen also connect well with the monument. These sites reflect the cultural identity of Yasothon, especially local beliefs related to Phaya Thaen, the rocket festival, and regional storytelling. A half-day route can begin at Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument, continue to Wiman Phaya Thaen and the Toad Museum, then proceed to Wat Mahathat and the old Ban Sing Tha community.

 

Access to the monument is convenient because it is located within Yasothon city. Visitors can reach the site by private car, rental car, local transport, or sightseeing tram service when available. Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park is also used during major city events, including the provincial founding festival, the Red Cross fair, and the Yasothon Rocket Festival period. This makes the area one of the most familiar and frequently used public spaces in the city.

 

For first-time visitors, Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument is an efficient and meaningful starting point. It does not require a long visit, but it gives important historical context before exploring other places in the city. After paying respect and taking photos, visitors can walk in the park, relax in the open space, and continue to nearby attractions. The site works well as both a short stop and part of a deeper cultural itinerary.

 

One of the distinctive features of this monument is its relationship with everyday public life. It is not isolated in a formal ceremonial area only. It stands within a park where people exercise, gather, rest, and join public activities. This relationship gives the monument a strong local character. It is both a symbol of the past and a functioning part of the present city.

 

Culturally, Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa represents the founding identity of Yasothon. When Ban Sing Tha was raised to the status of Mueang Yot Sunthon, the appointment of Chao Ratchawong Sing as ruler marked a new stage in the city’s history. Paying respect at the monument is therefore also an act of remembering the foundation of the city, the continuity of local leadership, and the shared identity of Yasothon people.

 

Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park also contributes to the health and social life of the city. Residents use the park for walking, light running, stretching, family outings, photography, and community events. The presence of a historical monument inside such a public park makes the site more meaningful, because history is not separated from daily life. It remains visible, accessible, and connected to the people who live in the city.

 

During major events, especially the Yasothon Province Founding Day, the Red Cross fair, and the Rocket Festival period, the area can become crowded and festive. Stages, food stalls, OTOP products, cultural performances, and public activities may appear around the park. Visitors who want to experience the energetic side of Yasothon may enjoy these periods. Those who prefer a quieter visit should come on ordinary weekdays or outside festival dates.

 

Visitors should treat the monument with respect. Do not climb on the monument base, do not behave disrespectfully in front of the statue, and avoid disturbing people who are paying respect or taking part in ceremonies. Since the site is also a public park, visitors should keep the area clean, use the facilities properly, and respect local residents who use the park for exercise and relaxation.

 

For families, the monument and park are a convenient stop. The area is open, easy to access, and suitable for walking and resting. Elderly visitors can pay respect and sit in the pavilion or shaded areas. Students and study groups can use the site to learn about the early history of Yasothon and the role of Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa as the first ruler of the city.

 

A recommended city route can begin at Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument in the morning, continue to Wat Mahathat and Ban Sing Tha old community, then visit Wiman Phaya Thaen and the Toad Museum. In the late afternoon, visitors can return to Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park for a relaxed walk or sunset photos. This route presents Yasothon through history, religion, old-town heritage, local belief, and public park life.

 

Travelers who want to go beyond the city can continue to Phra That Kong Khao Noi, Wat Phra Phutthabat Yasothon, or archaeological sites in Kho Wang and Maha Chana Chai districts. Starting the journey at Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument helps provide historical context before exploring the wider province.

 

Getting There to Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument is simple from central Yasothon. Head to Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Yasothon District. The site is close to the city’s main cultural attractions and can be reached by private car, rental car, local transport, or sightseeing tram service when available. The coordinates 15.80239, 104.13965 can be used for navigation.

 

In summary, Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa Monument is an essential stop in Yasothon. It honors the first ruler of the city, preserves the memory of Mueang Yot Sunthon, and stands within a public park that continues to serve local people every day. Visitors can pay respect, take photos, walk in the park, learn about the city’s founding history, and continue easily to nearby attractions. This makes the monument a practical and meaningful gateway to understanding Yasothon’s past and present.

 

 

A: It is located inside Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Yasothon District, Yasothon Province. The coordinates are 15.80239, 104.13965.

 

A: The monument is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: No. Visitors can pay respect, take photos, walk, and use the public park area without an admission fee.

 

A: Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa, also known as Chao Ratchawong Sing, was the first ruler of Yasothon after Ban Sing Tha was elevated to Mueang Yot Sunthon in 1814.

 

A: The highlights include the monument honoring Yasothon’s first ruler, the spacious ceremonial ground, Bung Noi – Bung Yai Public Park, the octagonal pavilion, landscaped areas, and its role as a venue for provincial ceremonies.

 

A: Morning and late afternoon are the most pleasant times, especially for paying respect, walking, exercising, and taking photos in the park.

 

A: Yes. The monument is an important ceremonial site during the Yasothon Province Founding Day, when offerings and worship dance activities are held in honor of Phra Sunthon Ratchawongsa.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Wiman Phaya Thaen, the Toad Museum, Wat Mahathat Yasothon, Ban Sing Tha Old Community, Wat Si Thammaram, Yasothon City Pillar Shrine, and Phra That Kong Khao Noi.